svm and the green future, page-25

Corruption is everywhere - none more so than Malawi - It is just one reason Malawi finds itself one of poorest three countries in the world.

It is this corruption that sees locals negativity around mining as a result of the minimal mining that has occurred in the past. It is this corruption that sees the government - after 5 long years failing to - even though they continue to say they will - table and pass the extremely important new mines and minerals bill. It is the same corruption that sees Malawi with inadequate infrastructure - that sees world donors reducing or not giving financial aide - so on and so on. The current mining law sees total control of resources to the president. If you read up on the ruby mining fiasco and the recently reported Chinese mining license granted - clearly you will see there is zero transparency and corruption aplenty. All this corruption causes uncertainty - the new mines and minerals bill in which all vested parties are forever calling for it's implementation - this will give clarity for investors and locals - environment - so on. Mining companies have exploited Malawi previously also - Paladin's uranium mine had a scheme to avoid paying taxes by laundering revenue - GBE is facing court action for failing to compensate villagers with a promised relocation package - the environment has suffered greatly with no rehab after mining or exploration which has a direct negative to villagers in land degradation and water contamination - etc.

Without the new mines and minerals bill there will be issues of uncertainty just like Tanzania next door where mining has just been slugged with a massive royalty/tax burden. Several graphite plays there will find it very difficult to secure finance as a result - other established mining operations have paid huge sums to continue operations.

Currently - in the lead up to the May 2019 elections governments of all have stated zero in regard to policies as they are pre occupied attacking each other - poaching candidates - scheming electoral registration for voters (in areas where the current don't have a stronghold). The only banter is the same as in the past - We will make Malawi great - We will stamp out corruption.

Sorry to go on about this but it really dismays me. However many various national independent graft agencies - church organisations etc are making a lot of noise including street protests. It is falling on deaf ears with the current govt so entrenched in their personal greed however this is 2018 and the people are listening through media and technology and change will come. No longer will govt all the way down to village chiefs blind side the locals.

At the end of the day SVM are doing everything at a very high standard to that which would be required here in Australia - to comply with the new mines and minerals bill - to bring benefits to Malawi and investors alike. One of two things could occur prior to May election - nothing as govt is pre occupied corrupting voters or a similar scenario akin to last election in which Joyce Banda (then president) rushed through several mining licenses related to oil exploration on Lake Malawi. There does appear that trend with the Ruby Mine rubbish and last weeks Chinese mining license. Personally I would prefer to see it take time and be done properly at every level once the new mines and minerals bill is implemented - most likely with the next government.

Perfect over here in the tropical north @butz - 15 to 28.