“Hands Off Mulanje!” – Fury as Mining Plan Threatens Malawi’s Sacred UNESCO Mountain’ 5 November 2025

Malawi’s newly declared UNESCO World Heritage Site and a lifeline for over a million people — is under threat. A mining company wants to dig into its heart for bauxite and rare earths, but furious traditional chiefs, environmentalists, and residents are rising up, calling it a betrayal of Malawi’s soul. “This is a sacred mountain, a living being to our people. We say no to mining — a big, loud no!” thundered Traditional Authority Chikumbu, a senior chief representing 147 villages around Mulanje…Its slopes feed nine rivers that provide clean water to surrounding villages and to Blantyre, a city of over a million people. It is not just a mountain; it is a spiritual sanctuary, a source of food, medicine, and rain, and a living museum of culture. In July 2025, UNESCO officially listed the Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site, describing it as a “reflection of the spiritual and ecological harmony between people and nature.” But now, that harmony stands on the brink of destruction.

…Local mining firm Akatswiri Mineral Resources, a subsidiary of Akatswiri Holdings Ltd, has set its eyes on the mountain’s Lichenya and Linje plateaus, areas of immense ecological and cultural importance. The company claims its $820 million project could generate $260 million per year and create 1,300 jobs — promises that critics say are both hollow and dangerous. Akatswiri already holds a mining license, pending environmental approval. It also had an exploration license for bauxite and rare earth elements that expired in 2024 but is reportedly seeking renewal. But the real question haunting conservationists is simple: why would Malawi allow a mining operation on its newest UNESCO site — a global symbol of natural heritage?... Environmental experts say the consequences of bauxite mining would be catastrophic. “Strip mining will mean mass deforestation, erosion, and toxic waste,” said Matthew Groch of the international watchdog Mighty Earth. “It’s the same story everywhere bauxite is mined — rivers poisoned, forests gone, communities destroyed.

…Akatswiri chairman Hilton Banda insists the mine is a path to development. But critics call it a short-term illusion. “Mining will bring a few years of chaos and a lifetime of regret,” said TA Chikumbu. “What will remain when the mountain is gone? Dust, poison, and poverty.” Environmental educator Kondwani Chamwala, who grew up at the mountain’s base, agrees. “They come promising schools and clinics — but after they leave, the land is ruined, and the people are poorer. ”…Despite technical and economic doubts about the project — Malawi lacks both the electricity and infrastructure needed for bauxite smelting — Akatswiri’s leadership remains defiant. “We don’t listen to critics who don’t know what they’re talking about,” Banda said in an email response. “Malawians want development, and we know what’s best for us.”