Group village head Saiti Mwasungu from Traditional Authority (T/A) Makanjira in Mangochi District has called on government to intervene in illegal mining activities in his area.
He said this on Thursday in Mangochi during a two-day Alternative Mining Meeting held under the theme ‘Unlocking Malawi’s potential sustainable mining: A pathway to inclusive development’.
Speaking during the meeting, Mwasungu said his area has become a hub of illegal mining as armed foreigners from Tanzania and Mozambique are invading the place for gold.
“As communities, there is nothing we can do because these people are armed and we cannot stop them. But it is dangerous because they are destroying our land in the name of mining,” he said.
Mwasungu blamed government for lack of transparency and accountability on mining issues.
On his part, Ministry of Mining Principal Secretary responsible for regulations Martin Kaluluma Phiri said the ministry is also concerned with rising cases of illegal mining activities in the country.
“We urge Malawians to report such activities to relevant authorities or police because illegal mining has the potential to destroy the environment and frustrate development through loss of revenue loss,” he said.
Phiri said they will deal with illegal mining, be it in Mangochi or other places in the country.
Representing the partners, ActionAid Malawi executive director Yandura Chipeta said government should tighten laws guiding the mining sector.
“We should ensure that these laws are working and focus on promoting sustainable and clean mining. We should always put people and the planet first before profits,” she said.
The meeting drew players in the mining sector and was supported by the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid, Oxfam in Malawi, ActionAid Malawi and Malawi Economic Justice Network.
