Mining & Trade News

Authorities in Kasungu District have suspended Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) operations following a fatal accident at Chimbiya in Traditional Authority Chitanthamapiri, which claimed one life with eight others feared dead and buried in the rubble of the collapsed mine, and two seriously injured.

Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kasungu Police Miracle Hauli confirmed the dead as 34-year-old Moffat Nyirongo, and identified the injured two as Samson Phiri and Patrick Banda, who were all involved in gold mining at the site.

“It is true that one person has been found dead, while two others were injured and are receiving medical treatment at the district hospital,” Hauli said, and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining will face the full force of the law. Traditional Authority Chitanthamapiri confirmed the suspension of the ASM activities to Mining & Trade Review and expressed optimism that the suspension will help save lives.

“We have agreed to suspend all mining activities because the mining happening here is illegal. We have decided to impose the ban while the search operation for the missing miners is still underway,” he said.

He explained that the suspension takes immediate effect and that noEmining activities will be allowed until the missing bodies are recovered.

This year alone, more than 15 people have died in Kasungu District in accidents related to illegal mining. On October 10, two children aged 13 and 16 died at Kawonoko in the district, and barely a month ago eight ASMs lost their lives in a similar accident in Kasalika Village, Traditional Authority Suza’s area.

The Malawi Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority announced a suspension of ASM activities in Kasungu in October this year as a result of regular occurrence of mine accidents. However, ASMs, most of them without mining licenses or permits, are still conducting mining operations in the district mainly for gold with buyers including foreigners coming from afar to buy the precious mineral.

In accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023, (No. 25 of 2023), Section 35, any reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration, or mining without a valid mineral tenement or artisanal mining permit constitutes a criminal offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of K20,000,000 and imprisonment for up to four years and that courts may also order land rehabilitation, with costs recoverable as a debt to the government if the offender fails to comply.

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