Settlers around the Kasikizi Coal Mine in Karonga have threatened to shut down the mine, after the mine investors have not honored some prior agreements, according to group village head Mweninguwe.

Mweniguwe revealed that the mining company initially agreed to drill boreholes for the communities, as well as other water related implementations, school blocks and teachers’ houses at Vungo Primary School.

Due to unfulfilled promises, the miners feel that the miners are exploiting minerals without giving back to the community. On the other hand the Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Bintony Kutsaira told The Nation newspaper that the ministry is doing its best on the situation. “We want to see to it that investors give back to the community. That is why we have revised the Mining Act to fill those gaps,” he said. Recently, a similar incident happened, in which settlers in Chitipa, torched and closed down Ilomba Mine.