A magistrates’ court in Rumphi has fined three Chinese K7 million each or serve a three and half year jail term each for illegal mining practices. A Malawian, who was arrested with the Chinese in the district last week, has been acquitted of his charges. The court has also ordered that the minerals which were […]
Malawi Police in Rumphi have arrested three Chinese nationals and a Malawian over illegal mining activities in the district. The law enforcers have also impounded a truck full of minerals mined from Kapiri hills. Rumphi police public relations officer Ulemu Kalua identified the Malawian as 36-year-old James Tembo. Kalua said Tembo had a mining licence […]
Malawi Police were called in on Thursday morning to bring peace and calm at a Chinese owned mine in Chitipa after villagers set ablaze security guard structures at the mine. Government has since closed down the mine at Mbirima in the district pending talks which are scheduled after the Christmas and New Year festive season. […]
Government has suspended all mining activities in Dowa after reports that the industry was dominated by foreigners. The people of Dowa rose up against the foreign miners who were given permission by the ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources. Member of parliament for Dowa east Richard Chimwendo Banda pressed the SOS, saying the foreigners […]
Communities surrounding Ilomba Granite Mine at Mbirima in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwaulambya in Chitipa, have vowed to stop resumption of the mine’s operation, unless their demands are met. Speaking at an interface meeting between the community and the investors Friday, Senior Group Village Headman Mwenembirima said since the establishment of the mine, […]
Some Chinese nationals doing mining activities in Mzimba risk expulsion from the district as the Ngoni Chief’s Council in the district has agreed to shut down all illegal mining activities. The council’s secretary senior chief Mpherembe has said all those involved in the mining activities in the district will now have to produce valid documents. […]
A community in Mzimba is demanding a clear contract with a Chinese gemstone mining firm over social responsibility programs. Group village headman Mchapasalu Mtika said there was need to have a clear contract on the issue so that the community knows exactly how they will benefit from their minerals which are being mined in the […]
Some members of parliament in Dowa have threatened to mobilise their people to chase away mining firms which they accuse of starting mining without getting permission from the district council. Dowa east MP Richard Chimwendo Banda said there was need for the mining firms to go through the district council, where MPs, councilors and traditional […]
Malawi Police in Chitipa have impounded a vehicle full of gemstones minerals from a Chinese firm which is mining at Mbilima village in chief Mwaulambya’s area. Police officer-in-charge Aubrey Kawale said o the vehicle had been detained for what he called security reasons following disagreements between the firm and the community. The police confiscated the […]
Communities at Mbirima in Chitipa have vowed to stop a Chinese mining firm from collecting mineral samples unless they commit themselves to corporate social responsibility in the area. The area borders Malawi and Tanzania. Traditional leaders in the area said the company has been collecting the “samples” large volumes, saying at least seven trucks full […]
A total of 15 journalists from various media houses in the northern region have been drilled on how to report on issues that will strengthen accountability in the extractive industry through investigative reporting. A day long training workshop which took place in Mzuzu on Friday dwelled on a number of thematic areas which among others […]
Members of parliament have asked Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers to go back to Namizimu forest in Mangochi to fight illegal mineral miners. Chairperson of Natural Resources and Environment parliamentary committee Welani Chilenga said it was worrisome that illegal miners are back in the forest just a year after they were forcebly driven out by […]
Minister of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Binton Kutsaira says he is overwhelmed with the progress being made by Mkango Resources at Songwe Hill in Phalombe District as it continues to fast track its Rare Earth mineral exploration. Mkango Resources is conducting a bankable feasibility study for rare earth mining at Songwe Hill through its […]
An amateur gold digger has died in a pit in Ntcheu and another one has sustained serious injuries when mining went wrong. Ntcheu polie spokesperson Hastings Chigaru said Talandira James met his fate when him and a friend went along Lisungwi river to mine. Chigaru said both the amateur miners were less than 12 years […]
President Peter Mutharika has promised that his government will put in place a robust policy and legal framework to guide investments in the mining sector. Mutharika promised this on Friday, in a state of the nation address boycotted by the opposition in Parliament. Addressing legislators from his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) along with a few […]
Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) says the mining of graphite in Malingunde in Lilongwe by an Australian mining firm will negatively affect supply of water in the Capital City. An Australian mining company is investing US$49 million in Malingunde, Lilongwe where it wants to mine graphite. LWB general manager Alfonso Chikuni said Malingunde is the catchment […]
An Australian mining company is investing US49 million (about K36 billion) in Malingunde, Lilongwe where it wants to mine graphite. Juliana Stevens, general manager of the company said the company wants to mine the graphite at Masambankhunda. Stevens said the Sovereign Metals Limited- has discovered 52 000 metric tonnes which will be mined for a […]
Mkango Resources Limited, a mining firm exploring rare earths at Songwe Hills in Phalombe, has exported a 60 tonne rock ore samples to Australia for metallurgical pilot plant test. The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)-listed mining firm, has been exploring the prospects of extracting the minerals used in making mobile phones and computer accessories since 2010. […]