A visit to Kasungu District on November 12 2025 found that several rivers, including Kambira and Dwangwa in Traditional Authority Simulemba had dried up due to illegal mining.
The story of drying up rivers due to illegal mining is the same in Traditional Authority (T/A) Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu District, where Nyuludzi and Nachakwa rivers that run through Chigumbu and Masiku villages, respectively, had no water at the time we visited them on November 20. Nyuludzi River, whose source is in neighbouring Mozambique, is big and supposed to have water all-year-round, but the story was different on this day.
According to the locals, these rivers have been hugely affected by search for precious stones, notably gold, by villagers.
Gold deposits occur in the basement rocks of these rivers and as a result, booming small-scale artisanal mining has occurred as people settled in the area.
Village head Katantha in Kasungu, who turns 64 years this year, has, for the first time, seen Dwangwa River without water this year.
“It was three years ago when people started mining in the river. We now only have water during the rainy season,” he said.
In an area where there are no boreholes, these rivers are the main source of water for cooking, bathing and washing, as well as drinking for local residents and farmed animals.
Mary Bamusi from Thala Village in Tsikulamowa banks on Nyuludzi River for everything. The nearest borehole is 15 kilometres away, which leaves her with no choice but drink from Nyuludzi River that is hugely affected by gold mining.
“Our challenge is that we do not have other sources of water. Don’t talk about Nachakwa River, it dried up months ago and we only depend on Nyuludzi.
“We have been asking for a borehole from government and non-governmental organisations but all we get are promises. Even during cholera outbreaks we still drink from Nyuludzi River. Now that it is also drying up, we need to look elsewhere far for water,” she said.
Nyuludzi has had water throughout the seasons but since people started mining activities four years ago, the river had failed to keep water during winter.
Ruthness Banda from Kavokoko Village in Simulemba, Kasungu, has also witnessed Dwangwa River dry up three seasons ago.
She is among illegal miners hunting for gold in the river.
“We do it because it gives us instant income; otherwise, our actions are affecting us. The river has dried up in the dry season and water only comes back in the rainy season,” she said.
Dwangwa is a big river that people cannot cross anyhow in the rainy season.
“I have never seen it dry up as it does now because of the mining,” said Banda.
However, even when the mining activities are putting lives at risk, Banda says people have very little choice for survival.
“Last year, I would have died while searching for gold. I was trapped. I was rescued after sustaining injuries, and was admitted to a hospital. I still feel the pain, but I cannot stop mining since it is the only source of income,” she said.
Village head Chiwoko Banda of Kasungu said chiefs have warned communities on the dangers of mining, but it has not worked.
“I lost my farm to illegal miners. I tried to talk to them but to no avail. We have tried as chiefs but where money is involved, it is difficult to win that battle,” he said.
Livestock farmer William Nyandula in Mfulanjovu, Balaka, is equally worried with the drying up of rivers in his village.
“We ask the government to stop this illegal mining; otherwise, we are losing our rich sources of water,” he said.
Meanwhile, Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi (AEJ) president Titus Linzie has asked government to start licensing gold miners in the country.
“Government should, also, implement rigorous and consistent enforcement of existing mining and environmental laws. These should include imposing significant penalties and escalating fines for offenders. Politicians should also be at the centre of it if this exercise is to succeed,” he said.
