LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has renewed its call for a comprehensive review of all mining-related agreements and licences linked to Portland Cement Malawi Limited, citing alleged injustices, irregularities and possible corruption in the company’s operations at Chinkhumbe Hill in Balaka District.

Addressing the news conference on Thursday, November 6, 2025 in the capital Lilongwe Executive CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa applauded President Peter Mutharika for the decision to ban the export of raw minerals, but stressed that the move should be followed by a review of all Minerals Development Agreements (MDAs) signed under previous administrations.

According to CDEDI, many of these agreements were questionable and not aligned with the best interests of Malawians.

The organisation claims the former administration was known for entering deals with “conmen and dubious investors,” resulting in communities suffering serious injustices.

The Chinese owned Portland Cement Malawi Limited, which bought shares in LaFarge Cement Company, is currently mining limestone at Chinkhumbe Hill in Senior Chief Nsamala’s area.

CDEDI says it began investigating the company after receiving complaints of unfair compensation, intimidation and lack of transparency from affected villagers.

A stakeholders’ meeting held on January 21, 2025 revealed that land compensation was not only meagre but had also been unlawfully reduced by 30 percent, allegedly due to the Ministry of Lands using Blantyre valuation rates instead of Balaka’s.

Balaka District Commissioner Tamanya Harawa later apologised for the misconduct.

Following demonstrations, Portland refunded the deducted 30 percent and added a 10 percent increase for the second phase.

CDEDI, however, noted that the Ministry of Lands, the Malawi Local Government Association and the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority initially defended the unfair compensation.

CDEDI further claims to have uncovered fraudulent compensation payments, including MK16 million allegedly paid to individuals who were not affected by the project, facilitated by Group Village Head Mchenga, who was later arrested by citizens for his role in the scheme.

Meanwhile, Village Head Ng’onga is said to have reported receiving death threats linked to the compensation controversy.

The organisation expressed concern that senior officials at Balaka District Council and some bureaucrats at Capital Hill appeared to shield Portland from accountability, prompting CDEDI to use the Access to Information (ATI) Act to demand documents.

Requests submitted to the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority on January 23, 2025 remain unanswered 10 months later.

CDEDI further alleges that Portland Cement is operating without conducting a mandatory Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) as required under the Environmental Management Act of 2017.

Balaka District Council reportedly approved the company’s project after Portland submitted an outdated Environmental Impact Assessment report belonging to LaFarge and conducted in 2011. No committee member objected to the anomaly.

The organisation has since urged the newly-appointed Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Jean Mathanga, to urgently visit the affected villages and ensure justice is served.

The Maravi Post