This Friday, 20 March 2015, a Round Table Discussion with mining experts will be held between 19.00 and 20.30 at Crossroads Hotel Auditorium, Lilongwe. The event is being organised by ActionAid Malawi, Citizens For Justice, and Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy. This Round Table Discussion is being funded through the Tilitonse Fund and a similar event was held last year.

According to the organisers, this event shall provide a forum for different actors to “discuss the governance elements and practices that needs to be strengthened, revised or adopted into the current governance system in order to enhance responsiveness, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and respect of human rights in the mining sector”. The panel comprises of civil society, mining communities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, and academia.

The discussion questions are:

• How many tonnes of mineral samples are legally acceptable for analysis?
• The experiences and expectations of the general public relating to mining exploratory activities

The objectives of these discussions are:

• To enhance the understanding of the general public on the myth regarding the right quantities of mineral samples that is legally acceptable for analysis.
• To discuss the different practices and experiences and the corresponding legal provisions governing the exploratory mining licence.
• To enhance the relationship and inclusiveness amongst civil society organisations, government, mining companies, local communities and the general public in the mining sector.

The discussions will be broadcast on the radio and TV. Listeners and viewers will be able to SMS their questions and comments.

The invitation letter is available here: 2015-03-16 Invitation Letter to Round Table Discussions