Chinese miner warned on Malawi uranium mine at Kayerekela

Some concerned parties in Karonga say they don’t want to see Chinese Uranium Miner, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), to start operations at the Kayerekela Uranium Mine without a clear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Kayerekela Mine has reportedly been sold CNNC by former miner, Paladin Africa Limited (PAL), whose license technically expired in 2014 after a ten year period.

In December 2015, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines principal secretary Ben Botolo confirmed to local press about PAL selling the mine despite the latter refuting.

Nyasa Times understands that CNNC wishes to commence operations this May, a development that has sent shrugs of fear among some people of Karonga.

A Karonga resident, Mathews Mhango, said they were “aware that a Chinese company wants to start its operations on the mine and that it has sent some of our leaders to talk to us on the same.”

Mhango vowed they were ready to deal with the company if it failed to abide by their demands which includes fulfilling a MoU and keeping them well informed on all developments.

Karonga Youth for Justice and Development (KYJD) executive director, Steve Simusokwe, has corroborated Mhango’s sentiments saying “this time action will speak because they have insulted us enough.”

Meanwhile, neither PAL nor CNNC has issued a statement on the matter.

In 2014, Kayerekela Mine was placed under care and maintenance following dwindling global uranium prices.