No illegal mining at Kangankunde, govt says

Government has moved to calm growing concern over alleged illegal mining at the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Balaka.

The reassurance follows intense parliamentary scrutiny after lawmakers raised concerns over alleged unauthorized mining activities and suspected illegal exports linked to the project, prompting government inspections.

Minister of Mining Thoko Tembo made the clarification in Parliament on Friday while responding to concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Climate Change following its oversight visit to the project.

Tembo said government had taken note of concerns surrounding blasting activities, stockpiled ore and mineral materials leaving the country, but maintained that exported materials were only for approved laboratory testing, analysis and other technical purposes.

“The ministry reiterates that inspections undertaken by government have not established evidence of unauthorised commercial mining or unlawful exportation of rare earth minerals,” Tembo said.

He explained that rare earth exploration requires large quantities of samples because the valuable minerals are usually found in very small concentrations within large volumes of rock.

Tembo said a truckload of mined material may contain only a small percentage of actual rare earth elements, making it necessary to use large samples during exploration and laboratory assessment.

The minister said government, through the Ministry of Mining, the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority and other relevant agencies, will continue conducting inspections and verification exercises to ensure full compliance with the law.

He added that government is also engaging Rift Valley Resources Developments Limited over outstanding compliance issues, warning that companies that fail to meet legal requirements could face enforcement action under the Mines and Minerals Act 2023.

Tembo assured Parliament that government’s priority is to ensure the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project develops in a manner that protects Malawi’s interests, promotes responsible investment and delivers economic benefits to citizens.