Communities , Lotus Africa sign Mining Development Agreement

Communities from Karonga and Chitipa have signed a Community Development Agreement between Lotus Africa Limited which will conduct mining activities

Speaking during the signing ceremony District Commissioner for Chitipa, Macmillan Magomero urged government to decentralize mining sector to district councils to achieving Malawi’s long-term development vision

Magomero said decentralising the mining sector can bring numerous benefits to local communities and the country as a whole since communities can have a greater say in how mining activities affect their lives and environment.

He said they heard news last week that people are mining gold in Chitipa but as a council they do not know that there is mineral in the district.

In his reaction, Regional Mining Engineer from Ministry of Mining, Joseph Chirwa said plans to devolve some duties and responsibilities to local authorities are already in the pipeline.