Sunday 23 February 2014

UIP president wants Kayelera mine closure scrutinized


United Independent Party (UIP) President Hellen Sighn want government to
 scrutinize the closure of the country largest mine, Kayelekera which
was being run by Paladin Africa.

In an interview with Nyasa Times, Sighn demands that government should
cross check if the mine's closure was done following the international
standards that will not have effects on the people.


"We should keep in mind that this is a uranium mine which is very
dangerous to the communities surrounding it and for a company just to
wake up one day and announce the closure raises more questions.

"We have to make sure that there are no leakages, we have ti find out if
 it was done under the international standards or they just closed their
 books and go back where they come from," said Sighn.

She cited  Japan and Russia as examples of some countries which after
years of closing their uranium mines, people are still experiencing
dangerous effects.

Sighn also said that as it happened when the mine was being opened,
government need to bring in experts to assess the closure of the mine.

"People should also know as to how much Paladin Africa made out of our
resources, how much they have left and how much they have taken," she
said

Last week Australian Stock Exchange- listed mining firm announced
production at the mine had been halted and will only restart until the
price hit $75 a pound.

Mining Minister John Bande described the decision regretable as it will
render many Malawians jobless.

But Paladin Managing Director John Boshoff said the closure is
neccessary in an unsustainable uranium market.

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