When I started Mining in Malawi (WordPress blog and Twitter account) from my home in Lilongwe, I decided to not only hide my identity but also use the inclusive ‘We’, in the spirit of oneness.
This is how I began on 18 November 2012:
We will be collecting, collating and commenting on news, research and initiatives in Malawi’s extractive industry so that information is more widely and easily available for interested investors, concerned citizens, present political leaders, agitated activists, etc.
With more information at our fingertips, we will be better placed to drive debate, inform policy, push for improving the investment climate and transparency in the sector and make progress in maximising the much-touted potential of the industry for national, community and household socio-economic growth.
The irony of choosing to remain anonymous while promoting open access to information did not escape me, especially since I have always stood firmly with those calling for greater transparency and accountability in the extractive industries. This is why I have decided to start using my real name.
That said, the aim is still to help provide greater coverage of the extractive industries within Malawi, using an open online space. Ghana (Reporting Oil and Gas) and Uganda (Oil in Uganda) have similar online hubs which started as funded projects. Hitherto, Mining in Malawi is neither affiliated with nor funded by any entity.
By going public, I hope I can open this space for other contributors and improve the trust between the blog and actors in the sector. I hope too that those working in the sector will engage with Mining in Malawi to see that their activities and efforts are recorded online.
Your feedback is welcome.
Rachel Etter
To learn more, visit our About page.
Rachel – appreciate the Mining in Malawi blog so much. You’ve put in many hours over recent years at your own expense that have helped keep people informed. Looking forward to continued dialogue amongst the actors and interest parties in the sector so that mining in Malawi can fulfill its potential to the benefit of the citizens of this nation.
This is great. We will be looking forward to have the important information shared through your blog.
On 25-04-2014, Mining in Malawi wrote:
> Mining in Malawi posted: “When I started Mining in Malawi (WordPress blog and Twitter account) from my home in Lilongwe, I decided to not only hide my identity but also use the inclusive ‘We’, in the spirit of oneness. This is how I began on 18 November 2012: We will be collec” > >
Thanks Rachel. Your blog is great source of up to date information on mining in Malawi.
Hi Rachel great to have someone telling us whats on with our malawi mining industry. how big is the mining industry? and why is it unknown in the country?
Congratulations Rachel- very brave, and as you know I think it is a fantastic project. Stay in touch.
Martin
Great work . Keep it up . We were together during the visit to kayerekera.
Thank you, Gary. I will be putting together a post on our Kayelekera visit in the next couple of weeks.
Please Rachel send me your contact email.I would like to be contributing.I am an environmental activist without borders working for a local NGO in Malawi.Just been in the country from further studies abroad
Looking forward to hearing from you – my email address is mininginmalawi [at] gmail [dot] com. Rachel
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