The national mining authority is planning to put its own officers in local councils. MMRA Director General Mphatso Chikoti revealed this idea at a meeting in Mangochi District. The goal is to tighten regulation of mining operations at the local level. District Commissioners and various Traditional Leaders attended the session.
Chikoti argued that shifting some oversight power to districts would make mining safer and more sustainable. Having officers near actual mining sites would improve monitoring and law enforcement. The move also aims to tackle rampant illegal mining, which damages the environment and cheats the state out of revenue. Zomba District Commissioner Musandide Fredrick Misinjo backed the plan, stating that councils are prepared to help.
Paramount Chief Kaduya from the Lhomwe area in Phalombe also approved. He said traditional leaders welcome more authority to stop illegal mining in their own jurisdictions, as they are usually the first to know about these activities. The meeting included leaders from Phalombe, Mangochi, Balaka, Machinga, and Zomba. Discussions stressed that coordinated action between national regulators, local government, and chiefs is necessary. The MMRA believes this proposed change could improve compliance and lead to more responsible mineral extraction across Malawi.
Chikoti argued that shifting some oversight power to districts would make mining safer and more sustainable. Having officers near actual mining sites would improve monitoring and law enforcement. The move also aims to tackle rampant illegal mining, which damages the environment and cheats the state out of revenue. Zomba District Commissioner Musandide Fredrick Misinjo backed the plan, stating that councils are prepared to help.
Paramount Chief Kaduya from the Lhomwe area in Phalombe also approved. He said traditional leaders welcome more authority to stop illegal mining in their own jurisdictions, as they are usually the first to know about these activities. The meeting included leaders from Phalombe, Mangochi, Balaka, Machinga, and Zomba. Discussions stressed that coordinated action between national regulators, local government, and chiefs is necessary. The MMRA believes this proposed change could improve compliance and lead to more responsible mineral extraction across Malawi.
