Mining
Police clear out Chimwadzulu illegal miners
December 05, 2024 / Marcel Chimwala
Stakeholders held a meeting at Chimwadzulu
By Marcel Chimwala
Mwalawanga Mining, a local firm which holds a mining license for Chimwadzulu corundum deposit in Ntcheu, says it has successfully worked with stakeholders including the Malawi Police Service, Ntcheu District Council, traditional leaders and members of the local community to kick out illegal miners and restore security at the mine.
“This collaborative effort was successful in removing unauthorized personnel and has significantly improved the overall security environment at the mining site,” says Operations Manager for Mwalawanga Omar Reza Abdeen in an interview.
Abdeen describes the development as a relief for the company explaining that Mwalawanga has encountered repeated incidents of illegal mining, threatening company assets, workforce safety, and operational efficiency.
“Despite stringent internal security protocols, the persistence of illegal miners in surrounding areas posed ongoing security and operational risks,” he says.
Abdeen explains that the company could not commence rehabilitations of mine infrastructure and move in mine machinery due to this serious security lapse though the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report for the operations of the mine had just been approved in April 2024.
He says: “A number of potential development partners had been let down by the escalations of illegal miners as they all felt that the government and the community had not created a conducive environment for the company to attract any partners to develop and operate the mine.”
“The illegal mining activities had also led to vandalism of mine infrastructure as well as destruction of all access roads within the mine.”
Following a request by Mwalawanga Management to the Ministry of Homeland Security Affairs, a crucial meeting was held at Chimwadzulu Mine Premises on the September 24, 2024. This meeting which was chaired by the Ministry of Homeland Security was attended by various stakeholders from the Ministry of Homeland Security Headquarters in Lilongwe, National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe, Ntcheu Police Station, Regional Police, Ntcheu District Council, Traditional Leaders and the Company representatives.
The objective of the meeting was to engage the stakeholders following a series of escalation on illegal mining activities at the mine that had resulted in total destruction of the entire surface area of the mine site and vandalism of mine structures.
Among other objectives of the meeting was to find modalities of ensuring the safety of the investor (licencee), establish a good working relationship between the company personnel, the police and the community leaders including the community members and help prevent mine encroachment and illegal mining activities so that the mine could develop for the benefit of all stakeholders.
During the meeting, a number of resolutions were made that included; the need for the local leaders to ensure that community members are immediately removed and condoned off from mine area so that the development of the mine can commence; the need for the company to ensure that local people surrounding the mine benefit from employment; ensure that there is a proper signed agreement between the company and the community on the benefits from the mine; and above all establish a Police Unit right at the entrance of the mine to help safeguard the area.
PROGRESS SO FAR
Abdeen explains that as of October 28, 2024, there has been some fruitful improvements at the mine site in terms of the security situation in that the Malawi Police intervened to restore order and protect company assets.
The Police conducted a series of well-organized operations to clear illegal miners in and around the mine (licensed) area.
Abdeen reports that increased police presence and frequent patrols have established a strong security presence, deterring unauthorized entry.
The Police, in collaboration with Mwalawanga Mining Ltd, also engaged local leaders and communities to raise awareness about legal consequences and promote lawful activities.
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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