Gold rush puts protected areas at risk

SCARS OF MINING—Trenches dug out by illegal miners in the reserve By Emmanuel Chilemba: Illegal gold mining is leaving deep scars on protected areas in Nsanje District as miners push into Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve. “It was first noticed in Mwabvi in October 2025. The mining is done by digging holes and cutting down trees, resulting in the degradation of the reserve and…