MP wants Mchenga Coal Mine deal renegotiated
Rumphi East member of Parliament (MP) Kamlepo Kalua has asked government to renegotiate Mchenga Coal Mine deal so that it should benefit surrounding communities.
The legislator, who initially made this request during his contribution towards the 2016/17 proposed National Budget last Friday, said in an interview on Tuesday that since its inception, the mine has not benefited the surrounding communities.
He said there is no infrastructure one can point at close to the mine.
Said Kalua: “It is disheartening that communities living close or surrounding the mine continue to wallow in abject poverty when the miners are getting richer each passing day.
“People’s health has deteriorated as there are no health facilities as required by law. Housing remains poor as it lacks proper infrastructures to qualify for a decent housing.”
According to Mining Weekly, Mchenga Coal Mine located in Rumphi produces about 2 500 tonnes of coal every month, but there are indications that the mine could produce 7 500 tonnes per month at full capacity.
