The People’s Transformation Party (Petra) says it ready to mobilise citizens to protest if government does not re-negotiate the Kayerekela Uranium mining deal.
At a recent news conference in Blantyre, Petra president Kamuzu Chibambo said the current deal with Paladin Africa Limited, which operates the mine in Karonga, does not benefit Malawians.
Among others, he said under the current agreement government granted exclusive rights to Paladin to borrow against “all ore and mineral-bearing materials, sand, slimes, tailings and residues of whatsoever nature located on and under the tenement.
“…This right can be likened to a tenant of a house having power mortgage the landlord’s house to secure a personal loan. How could government give Paladin such a blank cheque?” asked Chibambo
He also faulted the agreement on the provision that Paladin has to inform government within 30 days of discovery of any other mineral. He said there is no penalty stipulated on Paladin in the event of default.
Minister of Mining John Bande said government had commenced a process to have the confidentiality clause removed to enable it to make public the contents of the current contract.
Bande could neither confirm nor deny Chibambo’s claims.
