There are fears that graphite mining activities taking place at Malingunde in Lilongwe may cause more danger to the city’s main water sources, Kamuzu Dam 1 and 2.
Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) Board Chairperson Inkosi M’mbelwa V raised the fears in an interview, indicating that the board has since commissioned an independent consultant to conduct a study for a professional review of the mine.
M’mbelwa said, from the board’s assessment, they feel the water sources are at a higher risk of being damaged following the mining activities.
“I would like to indicate that through our line ministry, the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, we are in discussions with the Ministry of Mining over prospects for graphite mining and processing within Malingunde and Dzalanyama, which happen to be the catchment of our main water source.
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“We are fully aware of the economic benefits from the potential mining activities but we are also equally conscious of the potential risks of the same to our water production and supply to Lilongwe City, a risk that would undermine the investment made already,” Inkosi M’mbelwa said.
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According to M’mbelwa the country will lose a lot if the water sources are contaminated and the city may go dry.
“If the water is contaminated with mining, then we will have a very big problem. Kamuzu Dam is the only source for Lilongwe City and if the water is contaminated where will we go from there. That’s why we have looked for a consultant to help us with a professional review,” he said.
Meanwhile, mining expert Kennedy Rashid has said the proximity of the dam, and other important livelihood water resources, to the mine poses risks on the dam expansion plans.
“On the other hand, the mining activities if approved, will require water for processing of extracted resources and other activities. Ideally LWB was supposed to be consulted at the very beginning of the project. This even raises questions as to whether there’s engagement between LWB, Environmental Authority and Ministry of Mines as there is some information gap.
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“The reason why LWB is concerned with disturbance of Kamuzu dam located in Malingunde is because Kamuzu Dam I and Kamuzu Dam 2 are considered major supplier of piped water for Lilongwe. Ideally water board was to be consulted as the water resource which it oversees was to be affected if a decision to mine is to be made,” Rashid said.
Chairperson for the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament Werani Chilenga has since disclosed that the committee will summon all involved stakeholders on the issue.
“It’s an issue that we are looking into and all involved stakeholders will be summoned to our meetings, starting from September, to map way forward,” Chilenga said.
ASX – listed Sovereign Metals commenced mining activities in Malingunde
In 2017, Australian mining firm, Sovereign Metals Limited, confirmed the discovery of high grade Jumbo Flake Graphite at Malingunde in Lilongwe.
The deposit is a large high-grade saprolite-hosted flake graphite deposit. Saprolite is a very soft, clay-rich oxide material that is formed through intense weathering of the original bedrock.
