Tag Archives: Kayelekeraa Uranium Mine

Business, Politics

Chakwera reopens Kayelekera Uranium Mine

MaraviPost

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized that his administration will ensure Malawi benefits significantly from the reopening of the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga.

He was speaking during the inauguration of the mine in Karonga on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

The mine, which was closed in 2014 due to low uranium prices, is now set to contribute to the Malawi 2063 development aspirations under the new ownership of Lotus Resources.

According to Chakwera, government has ensured it gets maximum benefits and that its total share of the mine’s revenue now exceeds 50%, including a 15% equity stake, 30% corporate tax, and 5% royalty on gross revenue, among others.

He said this significant revenue share is expected to boost the country’s economy and improve the livelihoods of Malawians.

Chakwera urged Lotus Resources to develop Karonga through the mine and create opportunities for local communities to reap the benefits of the resources being extracted.

The mine’s revival is expected to generate up to 600 jobs, with 90% reserved for Malawians. A Community Development Agreement (CDA) allocates 0.45% of total revenue toward local projects, prioritizing local suppliers from Karonga.

This is to ensure that surrounding communities benefit directly from the mining activities with equitable shares.

Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa hailed the CDA as a critical milestone in fostering equitable development in mining communities.

He however, asked for recruitment of capable locals at the mine and asked the locals to safeguard the mine for future generations’ benefit.

The Presidential Delivery Unit, led by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, played a crucial role in facilitating the reopening of the mine.

The government has introduced mining development agreements to eliminate bottlenecks and loopholes, improving the livelihoods of Malawians.

Lotus Resources Chief Operating Officer, Mike de Costa, commended the government’s Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining strategy, saying that mining is not in isolation and its success can help boost agriculture production and tourism.

During the inauguration ceremony, President Chakwera symbolically presented K20 million to Karonga United Football Club and K10 million to Women in Mining at Kayelekera, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting local communities

Business

Malawi CSOs unhappy with secrecy in mining sector

Maravi Post Reporter

By Lusekero Mhango

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) in Karonga have bemoaned the continued lack of transparency and accountability in the mining sector in Malawi.

The Call comes despite the country signing up to the Extractive Industry Initiative (MWETI) a global standard for governance for a country’s oil, gas and mineral resources.

The development also follows concerns that communities within mining cites have limited knowledge on annual revenue collected from mining companies, license details and ESIA reports.

Speaking in an interview following a round table discussion that was aimed at creating a platform of sharing information on mining with stakeholders, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace under the Karonga Diocese Desk Officer Louis Nkhata, said little benefits are being felt on the ground as communities continue to lament a lack of openness among mining companies.

He observed a major observation from the discussion revealed information gap among community members on issues of mining.

“Transparency and accountability remain a big challenge especially in communities where mining activities are being extracted as secrecy over revenue and contracts continue to cast a heavy shadow over the sector hence community’s dissatisfaction with mining firms,” he said.

Concurring with Nkhata Chairperson for Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) Cosam Munthali while expressing gratitude for such a platform, bemoaned the continued shunning of such engagements by investors.

“Such platforms are vital in achieving the objectives of agenda 2063 which is clear on industrialization as it is the way to go with mining being the catalyst for driving the development hence investors must start being open in their dealings with communities where mining activities are being extracted,” Munthali explained.

In a separate interview, general manager for Lotus Limited at Kayelekeraa Uranium Mine Theo Keyter described the round table discussion as vital in clearing mirth and misunderstanding between communities and investors.

“As Lotus we believe in community engagement and openness in our dealing on mining and so far our relationship with community members is very positive due to the good working relationship we have created.”

With financial assistance from Australia Aid through Oxfam and CCJP is running a project titled Action by Communities Towards Inclusive and Valuable Extractive for Malawian in Karonga and Chitipa districts respectively.