By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, October 3 Mana: Lindian Resources Limited, a company which is currently doing rare earth mining in Balaka handed over a newly constructed police unit to Malawi Police Service for effective safety and security services to people at Chanthunya area that struggle to access police services.

To this effect, Eastern Region Police Commissioner, Babra Mchenga Tsiga called the people in the area to desist from mob justice, saying the tendency frustrates police investigation into crime cases.

She made the call at Chanthunya in Balaka over the weekend during inauguration of the new police facility that the Australian mining company constructed as a way of giving back to the community.

“We have come from afar, from a situation that the people of this area were walking from here to Balaka town to access police services.

“As police we don’t condone mob justice. This is why I am calling upon people of this area and the country at large to always desist from this behavior immediately,” she added.

Mchengha Tsiga therefore commended Lindian Resources Limited for constructing the police unit at Chanthunya, saying this was a good gesture.

“This symbolises collaboration and commitment to security to the people of Chanthunya area. Let me urge the community here, to always take care of the structure and let them work hand in hand with the officers that will be here.

Lindian Resources Limited Chief Executive Officer, Alwyn Vorster said corporate social responsibility is the company’s policy, saying the company felt obliged to construct the police facility following concerns of increased crime in the area.

He said the company approved construction of police post, which the community once started but could not finish because of limited financial resources.

“We offered technical and financial resources for the construction of this police unit, and we are very proud to be part of this story, and we still have strong dreams for this area, for example schools, clinics just to give examples,” Vorster added.

He disclosed that the company will be present in the area for a long time, remitting taxes to government plus ploughing back to communities through various corporate social responsibilities ways and means.

“We estimate that this beautiful mountain that we will be mining on will have more than 200 years of mining reserves available, we are not talking about 10 to 20 years project, so this is for generations to come.

“The value on an annual basis could be in the order of 100 million USD revenue, 50 million USD of profit under the current pricing, so we feel that there are significant royalties and taxes that will go to the Malawi community,” he added.

Senior Chief Inkosi Chanthunya, hailed the company for responding to the community’s need for a police facility as they mostly failed to access police services within reasonable distance at the wake of increased crime in the area.

“We have had serious crimes in this area, a lot of robbery in our communities, this beautiful police unit will go a long way in solving these problems, and we are grateful for this,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Balaka West Bertha Ndebere said Lindian Resources Limited also provided jobs for people in her area apart from constructing the police unit.

Lindian Resources Limited is currently mining rare earth at Kangankunde hills in the district.