The Nation 12 June 2026
As global demand for minerals used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean energy technologies continues to grow, Malawi is increasingly attracting attention from international mining companies. One of the most significant projects currently under discussion is the Songwe Hill Rare Earth Project in Phalombe District, being developed by Mkango Resources.
The company recently released its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, outlining its vision to mine, refine and recycle rare earth minerals that are critical to the global energy transition. According to the report, Mkango has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study, received approval for its Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA), and invested over US$406,000 in community initiatives through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
The report presents the project as an opportunity for economic growth, employment creation and increased participation in the global green economy. However, while the report highlights potential benefits, it also raises important questions that deserve public discussion.
One of the most significant concerns relates to community consultation. Many residents living around Songwe Hill have expressed concerns that they were not fully consulted or adequately informed about the long-term implications of the project. Questions remain about whether all affected groups were meaningfully involved in discussions and whether communities received sufficient information to understand how the project may affect their lives. This concern is particularly important when viewed alongside the issue of relocation and compensation.
Although the ESG report discusses stakeholder engagement and sustainable development, it provides limited publicly available information on how compensation will be calculated, how many households may be affected, whether land-for-land replacement will be available, and how livelihoods will be restored after relocation.
For rural communities, land represents far more than a financial asset. It provides food security, income, cultural identity and social stability. Communities therefore have a legitimate interest in understanding exactly what relocation would mean and what protections will be in place if displacement occurs.
Environmental accountability is another area that deserves close attention. Rare earth minerals are increasingly recognised as essential to global climate goals. However, the pursuit of clean energy technologies should not prevent serious examination of local environmental impacts.
One issue that deserves particular attention is water. Mining and mineral processing operations often require significant quantities of freshwater for extraction, processing and dust suppression. At the same time, Malawi is already experiencing the effects of climate change through changing rainfall patterns, more frequent droughts and growing pressure on water resources. For communities around Songwe Hill, water is not simply an environmental issue. It is a livelihood issue, a public health issue and a food security issue.
Communities therefore have a right to ask important questions. How much water will the mine require? Where will that water come from? What impact could this have on rivers, streams, boreholes and groundwater resources? What safeguards will be put in place to prevent contamination? And how will climate change affect long-term water availability for both the mine and surrounding communities?
The report repeatedly states that the project follows international standards, including IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles. While these commitments are important, the report itself is a company-produced document and does not provide independent verification of many of its claims.
This does not mean the information is inaccurate. It does, however, highlight the importance of independent oversight and transparent monitoring.
Questions about community benefit spending also remain. While Mkango reports spending more than US$406,000 on community projects, the report provides limited measurable evidence of the long-term impact of that expenditure. It remains unclear which communities benefited most, how priorities were selected and whether local people believe those initiatives addressed their most pressing needs. Good corporate citizenship should be measured not only by how much money is spent, but by whether communities experience meaningful and lasting improvements in their quality of life.
Importantly, this debate should not be reduced to being either “for mining” or “against mining”. The central issue is whether development can take place in a manner that is fair, transparent and accountable to the people most directly affected by it.
Communities living around Songwe Hill have legitimate interests in understanding how the project may affect their land, water, livelihoods and future opportunities. They also have a right to meaningful participation in decisions that may affect their lives and access to information that enables informed decision-making.
As the project moves closer to development, trust, transparency and accountability will become increasingly important. The long-term success of Songwe Hill will depend not only on mineral markets and investment decisions, but also on whether affected communities feel respected, protected and genuinely included in shaping their future.