French nuclear physicist arrives in Malawi over Kayerekela uranium mine

A French nuclear physicist, Bruno Chareyron, arrived in the country Tuesday to collect samples of water around the Kayerekela Uranium Mine which locals allege is contaminated with radioactive material.

The processing plant at Paladin Energy's Kayelekera mine in Malawi source: Paladin Energy
The processing plant at Paladin Energy’s Kayelekera mine in Malawi
source: Paladin Energy
Paladin boss Walker with some members of the Karonga district council
Paladin boss Walker with some members of the Karonga district council

A ceaseless war has ensued between Paladin Africa Limited (PAL) – miners at Kayerekela Mine – and local civil society organizations (CSOs) over the safety of the surrounding river system, following a spillage that occurred late last year.

 Nyasa Times correspondent in Karonga, Wezzie Banda, said “the debate forced Paladin to identify an independent consultant in November, 2014 to determine whether or not the water is contaminated” through its General Manager (International Affairs), Greg Walker.

Chairperson for the Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN), that is spearheading the move, Kossam Munthali, told Nyasa Times earlier that they “believe the spillage contaminated the water surrounding Kayerekela hence the hiring of the French expert.”

The tests are going to be done in laboratories in France, and results are expected to be available to Malawians after three months.

Dust has always refused to settle at Kayerekela as a result of battles between PAL and local groups. In 2012, PAL faced another punch over alleged failure to fulfill social corporate responsibilities.

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Moya
Moya
9 years ago

How can the whole ministry of energy and mines certify this as the right independent person whose results our government will confidently relay to the people? We need to take the minister and government to task over this silly decisions or acceptance of mediocre services. Chilima make sure ur reforms starts with having the right minister heading a ministry, suggest those ministers that need to be chopped. That report should not even be published its trash.let the scientist eat chambo fill up our toilets and go for good.

TrueFactor
TrueFactor
9 years ago

This is what we call “conflict of interest” the results may not be representative. The trustworthiness & thus credibility is at odds here.

amp
amp
9 years ago

I guess the results already printed out and just waiting to be released when the time comes out. where is our representation in the said tests?

machendy
machendy
9 years ago

” an independent physicist has been identified by paladin”

lol…are you guys up north naturally dim-witted or is it the uranium that has fried your brains?

oyeza poison wayitanidwa ndi company yomwe muikayikilayo? akakuwuzani kuti zonse zili bho sibasi nkhani yatha?

wadu
wadu
9 years ago

Akuti “the debate forced Paladin to identify an
independent consultant” hahahahaha. Paladin has extremely very deep pockets. I doubt if the findings by the sO called independent consultant will represent the facts

First Lady
First Lady
9 years ago

Ine ndimati mukuti Nuclear Physicist apanga hire ndi Malawi gvt. Paladi African limited ndiyimene yampanga identify yimulipira palichilungamo apa? Koma kusauka sizinthu amalawi anzanga

Wariya Khale
Wariya Khale
9 years ago

How independent is this ‘independent’ assessor who has been identified by the accused?

nyaka1
9 years ago

Mzungu simunthu, let’s not bow down to unnecessary pressures, results of umburi, thumbs up cossam munthali for ur efforts

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