Mines ministry to decentralise

Malawi Ministry of Mines will soon be decentralized to ensure that mining issues are handled at district level, Minister of Mines John Bande has confirmed.

The ministry which is considered as potential ministry that can help boost the country’s economy does not have offices at district level and the district councils do not have powers over mining issues as the powers rests in the President and Minister of Mines.

However, Bande in an exclusive interview on Sunday said the Ministry is determined to have offices at district level so that mining issues are handled better.

“We have already submitted a proposal to the Human Resources department. Once it is approved we will open offices at district level.

“However we will have to start with potential areas, so our priorities are in the Northern Region and lower Shire where mining is booming,” said Bande.

He said the offices will help in monitoring of mines and enforce safe practices in the industry. He said the offices will be able to track illegal mining and trade of the products which is a problem in some parts of the country.

“The offices will also ensure that companies adhere to corporate social responsibility, treat workers with dignity and pay royalties.

“The officers will help formalise the sector. We want the mining industry to benefit the country, so we will ensure that we have expertise on the ground to monitor the mines and be able to stop any malpractices.

“Through the offices we will also be able to train small scale miners on safe practices to ensure that the environment is protected. We will introduce modern technologies to them to boost the industry,” said Bande.

Karonga Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) desk officer, Mwawi Shaba said the Ministry needs to have offices at district level in order to enforce regulations and curb exploitation of communities and workers.

“Currently, we have a very big problem when it comes to making complaints. There are no offices in districts so people’s concerns do not get to authorities. The district councils do not have powers over mining so there is need to have the offices otherwise exploitation will always be a problem,” said Shaba.