Quake victims blame uranium mining company

Comment:  Interesting?  No to uranium mining!

Posted on Sunday 27 December 2009 - 13:55
By M'theto Lungu,
Africa news
Reporter in Karonga

Kayerekera Uranium Mining Company, Paladin Africa Limited, has been blamed for the continuing earthquakes and tremors being experienced in Karonga District.

Taking place at the DC's office, non-governmental, religious, and community representatives said they were convinced Paladin mining activities, which were recently commissioned by State President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, were the chief cause of the problem.

We demand that the company closes and also that the DC explains to us what we should tell the people.

Damage

Representatives from the geological survey department were also in defensive mode, insisting this was a natural order where after thousands and millions of years such occurrences repeat themselves. They offered no tangible explanation on what should transpire and what residents should expect.

The quake demarcation line has damaged roads, cut through residential, religious and public buildings, in some areas water gushing out from under the surface through cracks as big as 50cm and deeper than a mature bamboo tree.

Health risk

There are also fears that a cholera outbreak could hit the district of 270,000 people due to lack of safe water compounded by rainfall.

The paramount chief in the district, Mtemi wa Atemi Karonga, has also been blamed alongside some politicians for allowing Paladin to start mining without considering natural, health, and other residual effects on the people and the area.

Residents have differing beliefs behind the quake causes, others mathematically adding up the quake lines are confluent to Paladin's geographical positioning,

The meetings continue and today chiefs are meeting the DC to force out an official statement on what the people of Karonga should expect. More than 6,000 people have been moved to Mabulambo Camp whilst others remain around their damaged houses sleeping outdoors in makeshift plastic shelters. The Red Cross and the DC's office continue to distribute tents and plastics for shelter.

Four lives have been lost and 260 people injured since the earthquakes started weeks ago and a number of organizations and other well-wishers have since started contributing various relied services after government declared the area a disaster spot.

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http://www.africanews.com/site/Quake_victims_blame_uranium_mining_company/list_messages/28875