The Director of Mines, Samuel Sakhuta, who represented the Principal Secretary for Mining, has called on traditional leaders across the country to work hand in hand with the ministry in combating illegal mining activities.
He warned that the malpractice continues to cause severe land degradation and puts the lives of surrounding communities at risk.
Sakhuta made the call on Wednesday during a sensitization and consultation meeting with chiefs and district council officials from both Karonga and Chitipa districts, held in Karonga.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining has found it important to address challenges affecting the mining sector, especially illegal mining, together with local leaders. The ministry alone cannot solve this problem because local leaders are the ones directly affected. They can also provide meaningful solutions that will help us tackle illegal mining more effectively”, he said.
He emphasized government’s commitment to ending the vice, noting that awareness and engagement meetings with stakeholders are the first step. He pointed out that enforcement without community sensitization often fails.
“To use force without sensitizing people may not yield results. People may not understand why they are being chased. Let us first sensitize the local leaders to understand the laws and policies. Once they understand, they will take the messages to their communities. Enforcement will then target only those who deliberately refuse to comply,” he added.
Sakhuta also issued a strong warning to small-scale Malawian miners who illegally hand over their licences to foreign nationals, reminding them that small-scale mining licences are not transferable to foreigners.
He stressed that those involved in the malpractice will face the law.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa called for the establishment of district-level offices to regulate mining activities.
He said relying solely on the central government to oversee and regulate the sector may slow efforts to curb illegal mining in the country.
