Malawi right watchdog, Catholic Church voice on Uranium mine

Nyasa Times 22 April, 2009 01:40:00

Malawi's Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace has accused Australian-based uranium miner Paladin Energy of back tracking on pledges to the people of the Karonga region where it operates the Kayelekera Uranium Mine.

The commission, a human rights arm of the Roman Catholic Church, has called for a meeting with the miners and traditional chiefs after accusing the energy company of not doing enough to protect water sources from uranium deposits.

The group fears the deposits could pollute Lake Malawi, one of Africa's fresh water areas and the third largest lake on the continentAnd the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has called for the review of all mining agreements including reviewing of the whole mining tax regime.

President Bingu wa Mutharika on February 17 commissioned the uranium mine at Kayelekera in Karonga.

“We are aware that Malawi still lacks appropriate policy and legal framework for mining and handling of radioactive materials like uranium, although government has taken further steps in coming up with a reviewed legislation.

“Since this is only the beginning of large scale mining operations in Malawi, we at CHRR hope that in future proper procedures will need to be followed in granting mining licenses to prospective mining companies,” said CHRR head Undule Mwakasungula in a media statement e-mailed to Nyasa Times.

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