Kamlindeni hills under threat as mining leaves deep environmental scars

Fresh concern is mounting over the fate of Kamlindeni Hills in Mzimba District as a local youth organization steps forward to challenge what it describes as unchecked and destructive mining activities in the area under Senior Chief Mabulabo.

Muumoza Youth Organization (MUYO), a growing youth-led civic group in the district, states that the once-stable hills are rapidly being transformed into dangerous and degraded land due to mining operations that lack proper environmental safeguards.

The group warns that the damage now visible on the ground poses serious long-term risks to both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

MUYO Executive Director, Bathoromew Shaba, told Malawi24 that the situation has reached alarming levels, with vast sections of the hills left scarred by open pits, stripped of vegetation, and littered with mining waste.

“What we are witnessing at Kamlindeni Hills is environmental destruction in plain sight. Large open pits have been abandoned, vegetation has been wiped out, and the land is no longer safe for people or animals. If this continues, the damage will be irreversible,” said Shaba.

Shaba further cautioned that the degradation could accelerate soil erosion, compromise agricultural land, and threaten local water sources, thereby deepening vulnerability in rural communities that rely heavily on the natural environment for survival.

In response, MUYO has called for immediate government intervention, urging relevant authorities and regulatory bodies to suspend activities causing further harm and to launch a thorough investigation into the mining operations.

The organization is seeking clarity on who is behind the mining activities, whether the operators are properly licensed, and whether existing environmental and mining laws are being adhered to.

Beyond enforcement, the youth group is also advocating for a more inclusive approach to natural resource management.

MUYO argues that communities surrounding Kamlindeni Hills have been sidelined, bearing the environmental costs of mining without meaningful consultation or tangible benefits.

“People must be consulted before mining begins, and they must benefit from resources taken from their land. Development should never come at the expense of community safety and environmental sustainability,” said Shaba.

Senior Chief Mabulabo has confirmed awareness of the mining activities within his jurisdiction and said he has already directed the company involved to rehabilitate the affected areas by filling in open pits left behind after mineral extraction.

“As a leader, I have directed the company to fill in all the open pits,” said Senior Chief Mabulabo.

However, questions remain over the effectiveness of monitoring and whether rehabilitation efforts are being fully implemented.

When contacted, Mining Authority spokesperson, Nandie Mambucha Thawani, acknowledged receiving concerns over the matter but said the institution needed more time to consult internally before issuing a formal response.