The significance of geoethical practices in Malawi: a case study of Globe Company and Kanyika area

Most of the geological work carried out in Malawi is conducted in rural areas. The majority of the people found in these areas are uneducated such that, informing and educating them is crucial and a prerequisite to all the activities before the commencement of any field work. Kanyika area in the Northern part of Malawi, where Globe company owns an exploration license, appreciates the need to develop ethical framework for geosciences, research and practices that can help geoscientists to deal with ethical dilemmas. Malawi is endowed with a number of minerals of great economic importance; most of these minerals are accessible in the rural parts of the country where there is an inadequate infrastructure development. Malawi is overlain by the Basement Complex, which is composed of Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks and it underlies most of Malawi. Several carbonatite intrusions are known from southern and south-central Malawi. Quaternary to Recent alluvial and lacustrine sediments are found along the shores of Lake Malawi and in the Shire Valley. Globe Company conducted its exploration activities in Kanyika area and is awaiting to be granted the mining license. This project will be the second largest mining operation in the country after the Kayerekera Uranium mine in Karonga. The exploration activities provided hope for the improvement of the livelihood of the locals through both gainful employment and compensation for land. The villagers however were not aware of the stages of mining and no definite time was given for the mining company to carry out various corporate social responsibilities. No one was compensated and the people's patience is waning to see the fruits of the mining industry introduced in their area. The failure to meet the expectations of people has left the community with the perception that Globe metals and mining company is not profitable to them for it did not consider the welfare of the people in the area. An agreement is yet to be reached since the government requires a significant review to achieve favorable outcomes for both parties. On the other hand, locals think their voices are left unheard.