M’mbelwa calls for regulation of small-scale mining
Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V has asked government to regulate the small-scale mining industry in Mzimba, saying M’mbelwa District Council is losing out on revenue through illegal mining.
The chief said this on Wednesday during a full council meeting in Mzimba to deliberate and pass by-laws.
M’mbelwa V said there are a lot of illegal mining activities happening in the district such that precious stones are being extracted without following procedures.
He said there is need to come up with regulations that will bring sanity in the mining sector and ensure that the council benefits from mining proceeds.
“Mzimba is very rich in mineral deposits. However, there is a proliferation of illegal mining activities that are robbing the council of the much needed revenue that would help spur soci- economic development,” he said.
M’mbelwa V urged the district council to enforce the by-laws.
In his remarks, Mzimba district commissioner Thomas Chirwa commended the Local Government Accountability Project (LGAP) for its financial and technical support towards the formulation of the council’s by-laws.
He said the by-laws form an important legal framework that guide the council in the implementation of its programmes. n
