Aquaquest was retained by the Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) to conduct an independent Review & Assessment of the Impact of the proposed Malingunde Graphite Mining Project, located near Kamuzu Dam I and II, the main source of raw water supply for Lilongwe City. The existing ESIA, prepared by the Mining Developer over a period of 6 years, was critically reviewed. Expert reports included in the ESIA were assessed to investigate whether comprehensive mitigation measures for the protection of the raw water quality had been provided.
Appropriate conclusions were developed to assist LWB in making informed decisions to ensure the safety, sustainability, and acceptable quality of the future raw water supply for Lilongwe. Recommendations were proposed to LWB and other Project Stakeholders, among others, on the proximity of the mining site, location of processing plant and Tailing Storage Facility to the raw water source, as well as the depth of excavation, and enhanced measures of mitigation to protect the source against pollution, environmental degradation and other risks.