Illegal miners defiant, say act source of survival

Miners in different areas in Lilongwe have said although they know that their (mining) activity is illegal, it is difficult for them to stop it because  it is their only source of income.

The miners said this during a sensitisation exercise on illegal mining Kanengo Police Station conducted on Tuesday at Lundu and Kumayani mines in Chiwamba Village, Traditional Authority Chimutu in the district.

Group village head Nachiola 1 admitted that many people know that mining is not allowed, but said it is their only source of livelihood.

“We appreciate the role of police in reminding and advising us on issues of illegal mining, but this is where we find our daily bread,” he said.

Kanengo Police Station coordinator Perry Mpangeni told the gathering that illegal mining is punishable by law and advised the people to wait for government’s intervention.

He said: “Let us be patient and wait for government to come in and inform us about mining laws and what we are supposed to do if we want to do mining legally.

“The buyers might be cheating you. We could be enriching other people at the expense of our community.”

Kanengo Police Station deputy spokesperson Salome Chibwana said about 1500 people from the two mines were present during the sensitisation meeting.