Mining
Budgetary constraints impacting mine inspection errands
September 26, 2026 / Wahard Betha
The Ministry of Mining says budgetary constraints are impacting its drive to scale up mine inspections in the wake of growing activities in the sector.
Chief Inspector of Environment in the Ministry Mphatso Chikoti told journalists at a media training workshop in Salima that the Ministry faces challenges of understaffing amidst inadequate financial support.
He said even though Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) recruited some officials, there are still not enough to match the overwhelming demand of staff in the wake of increased activity in the sector.
“We believe when we are fully devolved that will change.The issues of funding are still haunting us because for a team to travel to do inspection we need over MK10-million just for one trip which is much difficult with our allocation from the Treasury,” said Chikoti.
The Ministry is. meanwhile, in the process of introducing mining and geological officers in districts and town councils across the country, which Chikoti believes will enhance safe and sustainable mining as the officers will be operating right in the areas where the activities are taking place.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) hailed the initiative in a joint statement describing it as a significant milestone in advancing accountable, participatory and responsive governance of Malawi's mining sector, by bringing decision-making closer to communities directly affected by mining activities.
Several CSOs and networks including NCA-DCA, Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), Action Aid Malawi, OXFAM, Center for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), Catholic Church for Justice and Peace (CCJP), MCC and Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) have, together with communities and other stakeholders, consistently advocated for mining governance to be brought closer to the people.
Through Alternative Mining Indabas, community dialogues, stakeholder engagements and other advocacy initiatives, mining affected communities have repeatedly called for stronger local participation in decisions concerning mining activities, land, livelihoods, the environment, human rights and community development.
During the media training organized the by the Ministry, media practitioners were eager to understand the capacity of the Ministry to conduct regular inspections and why companies are notified of visits by mining inspectors which makes them well prepared.
The media practitioners also asked the Ministry to respond on the allegations that companies sponsor some government officials to do the inspections, a development which raises suspicions of the officials compromising their role to hold the company accountable for any misconduct.
Responding to the questions, Chief Inspector of Environment in the Ministry Mphatso Cikoti explained to the media practitioners’ different types of inspections that exist within the sector.
Chikoti said: “Let me explain to you the types of inspections. We have what we call ambush inspection where by it is fully funded by us and we go there without notifying them.
“The other type is informed inspection whereby we do inform them of our coming to inspect let’s say if they installed something or there is new development within the mine.”
“Lastly, we have that inspection whereby the company asks us to inspect them for example when they are doing bomb blast to ensure that they are doing it in accordance with the law.”
“Therefore for some of these. they must sponsor the trips because we cannot use public funds for something that will benefit the company.”
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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