Minister of Mining Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma says the extraction of rare earth from Kangankunde Mine in Balaka District will boost foreign exchange (forex) in the country.
He said the mining site will be able to remit over $80 million (about K140 billion) a year to Malawi.
The minister said this in Balaka on Wednesday during the launch of Lindian Rare Earth mining activities and construction of a tarmac road from the M1 to Kangankunde Mining Site.
Said Ng’oma: “What Lindian associates have done in Balaka is commendable as the mining will help to generate forex.
“The mining activities will also provide employment to the youth and women in the area. The other benefits are skills transfer and capacity building for Malawians and infrastructure development.”
He asked the company to take care of the environment, saying most mining investors leave big trenches after closing the site.
Lindian board executive chairperson Rob Martin said the new road will provide safety to local people and create economic opportunities to surrounding communities.
“Lindian is committed to providing job opportunities among the communities, supporting local business and enhance local infrastructure,” he said.
In random interviews, communities around the mine expressed happiness with the road construction and start of mining activities.
James Kalongonda said the activities will give local people employment, thereby reducing poverty in the area.
Martin further said the company will continue to support government on economic development issues
