ASSESSING LAND REHABILITATION IN ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING: THE MZIMBA CASE

In the mining industry, most attention is focused on the large-scale sector, but in developing countries like Malawi, minerals are mainly extracted by the artisanal and small-scale sector.
This means a greater potential of impacts to aspects such as the environment. This project was carried out to assess land rehabilitation in artisanal and small-scale mining in Mzimba district. This was done in consideration of the growing artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Malawi arising from opinions that it brings about significant environmental destruction. The aim was to assess sustainability use of land in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, focusing on mining closure since; the nature in which the land is left after mining affects its future use. The main objective was to assess the impacts of lack of land rehabilitation in ASM on the environment in Mzimba. The main hypothesis was, “lack of land rehabilitation in small-scale mining does not affect environmental sustainability.” The research included a desktop study of Malawi’s mining and environmental laws; survey in which purposive sampling was used; and field observation which was used to determine the nature and extent of implementation of land rehabilitation activities and related impacts. This study revealed that in T/A Mzikubola in Mzimba, land rehabilitation is not done. Miners are aware of the need for land rehabilitation but negligence and high cost act as barriers. There is also inadequate monitoring and enforcement of environmental standards by regulatory bodies. Due to lack of rehabilitation; impacts such as loss of vegetation, accidents and infections may result, as well as land degradation which lenders the area unsuitable for other purposes. There is need for intervention to achieve sustainable mining. The findings were used to come up with recommendations on vital areas to be reviewed to improve land restoration in artisanal and small-scale mining in Malawi.

In the mining industry, most attention is focused on the large-scale sector, but in developing countries like Malawi, minerals are mainly extracted by the artisanal and small-scale sector. The aim was to assess sustainability use of land in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, focusing on mining closure since; the nature in which the land is left after mining affects its future use. The main hypothesis was, “lack of land rehabilitation in small-scale mining does not affect environmental sustainability.” The research included a desktop study of Malawi’s mining and environmental laws; survey in which purposive sampling was used; and field observation which was used to determine the nature and extent of implementation of land rehabilitation activities and related impacts. Due to lack of rehabilitation; impacts such as loss of vegetation, accidents and infections may result, as well as land degradation which lenders the area unsuitable for other purposes.

The study was conducted in Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba district. Mzimba district is in the Northern region of Malawi, latitude of 11.89920 S and longitude of 33.59240 E. It covers an area of 10,430km 2. The areas of study include Majiyasawa forest, Perekezi forest, chanunkha Shaba village, and Bulukutu village where Artisanal and small scale mining for gemstones is taking place. Mzimba district was selected for the study because artisanal and small scale mining has been happening as far back as early nineteen nineties; thus, it is long enough to have a measurable impact on the environment.

District: Mzimba

Coordinates: -11.8492, 33.6589