Mining
Experts tip government, investors on mining in Mulanje Mountain
April 03, 2025 / Wahard Betha
Rashid: Ecosystems on the mountain are very important
Mineral sector experts have advised mining companies and the Malawi Government to fully engage with local communities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in pursuing the Mulanje Mountain bauxite and rare earth prospecting project to ensure that they are fully sensitized on the project.
Consulting Geoscientist Ignatius Kamwanje said since Mulanje Mountain is a forest reserve and an eco- tourism center, companies conducting exploration or mining activities at the site will continue facing a backlash from environmentalists, CSOs and members of the local community.
Kamwanje said: “There will still face an uphill task to thrive but reaching flexible beneficial agreements can be a way of arresting the wrangles.”
“The investors need to engage the communities in ongoing activities through employment, meetings as local participation, and; bring stories from elsewhere where mining has been successful under the same environment.”
Coordinator for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Kennedy Rashid in a separate interview advised investors to develop a viable stakeholder engagement strategy in order to manage both conflicts and expectations. Rashid also said there is a need to utilize the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in Mulanje District about mining in the mountain as much as the nation needs to generate wealth.
“Besides the minerals, the ecosystems on the mountain are very important to other stakeholders socially and economically,” he said.
However, Coordinator for Chamber of Mines and Energy Grain Malunga explained in an interview that mining cannot endanger ecosystem or tourism activities in the mountain. Malunga said unlike unregulated small-scale mining which has resulted in destruction of the environment across the country, large scale mining to be conducted in Mulanje will involve the execution of modern and environmentally friendly technologies.
“Tourism can strive through geo-tourism investment. Mining of today is very sustainable. One should not confuse small scale mining with large scale mining,” he said.
MD for Chiwandama Geo Consultants John Nkhoma said the country can realise more benefits from mining in Mulanje as compared to what is being earned from tourism activities.
“Mining, if properly done can actually bring about the much-required tourism boom and money can be realized from it. Look at the accessibility to the top of the Mountain, this requires huge investment which tourism will never achieve till end of the world,” he said.
Mulanje bauxite project has the potential to boost the country’s economy by increasing foreign exchange reserves and creating job opportunities for locals.
The project has also potential to improve the public infrastructure including upgrade of transportation networks, housing, health care and educational facilities.
A local firm Akatswiri Mineral Resources is pursuing the project, which hosts about 28-million tonnes of bauxite, and rare earth reserves at Chambe Basin.
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Comments
Mining & Trade Review News
Agribusiness News
Subscribe to Newsletter
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.
Archives
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.
Stakeholders Logos
