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Malawi water supply threatened by Paladin uranium mine

Catholic Commission wary of uranium contaminated water in Karonga
By Nyasa Times  September 25, 2009 Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) have expressed concern that people around  Kayelekera mine and processing plant in  Karonga, northern Malawi are drinking uranium contaminated water which is life threatening.

According to John Chawinga, CCJP secretary for Mzuzu Diocese ……

CCJP observed that the construction of water works infrastructure remains an ethical and environmental nightmare, considering that the design and implementation of such undertaking has not been subjected to scientific rigor and authentication.

“Worse still, the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) which is mandated to provide water in the region has been demobilized to the status of spectator,” said the Commission.

He said the main stay of CCJP on the Kayelekera project has been that the people of Karonga continue to access clean and safe water that is also free from uranium contamination.

CCJP said it instituted an investigation to establish the working relationship between Paladin and NRWB  on the supply of water to Karonga Township.

“ The reality on the ground is that Paladin has usurped the power of the water board and is involved in providing water itself,” noted the Commisison……………..

“At first people in Karonga were told that NRWB would manage the water plant including time of construction but we are surprised that there is no official of the water board on site and its only Paladin Officials” a  top Civil Servant was quoted by CCJP.

The official further said that “Our worry here is that before mining, at the time of exploration, scientists (geologists) were able to detect uranium along the Rukuru River (which flows into Lake Malawi)- Now with the mining on full throttle the possibility is that the uranium would easily flow into Lake Malawi. The other worry is that Paladin is not coming out clearly if there purification facility will be able to take away uranium from the water”…………..

Karonga people are said to have querried that what magic has Paladin brought that will hold Rukuru River from flooding and being polluted.

CCJP therefore appeal to Paladin to  comply with the international best practices of mining uranium in absence of legal frame work to regulate the same in Malawi

Catholic Commission wary of uranium contaminated water in Karonga | Malawi news

September 26, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, AFRICA, indigenous issues | antinuclear, indigenous, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium, wastes