Locals and chiefs in TA Kilupula, Karonga District, are calling out the Coal and Mining Group, run by a guy named Mwalafyale, for straight-up lying to them. An inspection by the Area Development Committee found the mine has gotten bigger, but the company has not built the schools or helped farmers like they swore they would. The ADC chair, Kingdom Malanga, said it is a raw deal for communities seeing zero benefit while their farms and lives get messed up by the operations.
A management rep, SGVH Katumbi, copped to problems like coal dust pollution and admitted community pushback is coming if nothing changes. Bryan Mwangonde, a senior figure with the mining group, validated the complaints, saying they are working on it and still plan to honor their documented promises of cash for projects. Nobody is holding their breath, though.
A community representative, Mungasulwa Mwambande, said people will be watching every move the mine makes. The whole situation is a classic case of a resource extractor rolling in, wrecking the place, and then slow-walking any payback. The ADC wants immediate talks to actually get something done, but given the track record, good luck with that.
A management rep, SGVH Katumbi, copped to problems like coal dust pollution and admitted community pushback is coming if nothing changes. Bryan Mwangonde, a senior figure with the mining group, validated the complaints, saying they are working on it and still plan to honor their documented promises of cash for projects. Nobody is holding their breath, though.
A community representative, Mungasulwa Mwambande, said people will be watching every move the mine makes. The whole situation is a classic case of a resource extractor rolling in, wrecking the place, and then slow-walking any payback. The ADC wants immediate talks to actually get something done, but given the track record, good luck with that.
