RC warns over moneyed mining meddlers

GEITA: GEITA Regional Commissioner Alexander Mnyeti has directed the newly appointed Chato District Commissioner, Maiko Kachoma, to take action against individuals accused of using their financial influence to fuel conflicts between mining licence holders and landowners in the district.

Mr Mnyeti said yesterday during the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Kachoma, who was appointed Chato District Commissioner on September 29, 2026 that some wealthy individuals, whom he described as powerful individuals, were allegedly creating disputes between mining licence holders and landowners for personal interests.

Mr Mnyeti said the Mining Act recognises the rights and interests of mining licence holders, landowners and investors, adding that mining activities should be conducted through agreements between the parties involved.

“There is a landowner and there is a licence holder. The law is clear. They can discuss and agree on how compensation will be paid, whether through a percentage or cash compensation,” Mr Mnyeti said.

He said Chato had both mining licence holders and landowners, but some landowners were preventing licence holders from conducting mining activities despite legal requirements governing mining operations.

Mr Mnyeti said preliminary information had established that some wealthy individuals were allegedly inciting landowners in the Musasa small-scale mining area in Chato District to reject compensation, resulting in conflicts.

“There are people with money who are fuelling these conflicts so that landowners do not allow the assessment to be conducted. That is what we have established,” he said.

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He directed the new District Commissioner to ensure that such conflicts were resolved, encouraging him not to be intimidated by individuals who claimed to have financial influence. “Go and make sure you resolve conflicts of this nature.

Let no one intimidate you by claiming that they have money. You are the Chato District Commissioner and you are the final authority in the district,” Mr Mnyeti said.

He also directed the District Commissioner to ensure that the law is enforced and that loopholes allegedly being exploited by individuals pursuing personal interests are addressed in accordance with government directives and guidelines.

Mr Mnyeti said the authorities should not allow influential individuals to interfere with lawful processes governing land and mining activities.

“We cannot continue this way, where someone grows horns and we remain cheering that person’s horns. We cannot continue like that,” he said.

He urged the new district leadership to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders to resolve disputes and ensure that mining activities are conducted in accordance with the law.

The RC said addressing such conflicts was important to maintaining peace and ensuring that both landowners and mining licence holders benefit from the sector.