Mwanza communities schooled in mining concessions

Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has urged communities in Mwanza to demand a community development agreement (CDA) and not a corporate social responsibility (CSR) agreement from prospective mining companies interested in Corundum-crystalline form of aluminium oxide with traces of iron in Thambani Mountain.

EAM-Tonse Tipindule project officer Golden Mbaula-Phiri said this on September 23 during an interface meeting with duty bearers at Thambani Extension Planning Area (EPA) where communities sought clarification from member of Parliament (MP), councillors and the district commissioner (DC) on mining issues.

Said Mbaula-Phiri: “Any prospective company coming to mine Corundum in Thambani Mountain should honour the community development agreement not corporate social responsibility. We do not want what is happening in Karonga to occur here. The former helps the community to get needs not wants. There should be a win-win situation. Not giving you seeds instead of a road.”

Sub Traditional Authority (ST/A) Govati said armed with the knowledge they are acquiring from the project, they will not allow any company to begin mining activities without an updated-mining law in place.

He said: “Those that are taking samples of Corundum should stop. We are now aware of issues relating to the mining sector. We are happy that our MP and DC have answered our questions.”

Mwanza West MP Paul Chibingu and DC Gift Lapozo hailed EAM for imparting vital knowledge to the communities. n