Speaking to Zodiak ,one of the concerned Villagers Happy Phiri alleged that their farm lands have been destroyed and they wonder why they are not being compensated.

"Our farm lands have been damaged and we have nowhere to cultivate this year, hence the reason we need to be compensated so that we can use the money to buy another land elsewhere within the district," he said.

He added that they have tried to reason with authorities on this but the efforts have yielded nothing.

Elube Banda who also comes from the same area echoed the sentiments.

But Ntchisi District Commissioner Lusiyizi Nhlane, said the company followed proper procedures as it presented the project to the District Executive Committee Meeting (DEC) besides engaging the Ministry of Energy and Mining.

"The company is certified and it briefed stakeholders in the District Executive Committee Meeting (DEC) held in the district apart from engaging the ministry of energy and mining on the same," said Nhlane.

On his part, Senior Chief Nthondo said he is also aware that the company engaged all relevant authorities including his office on the matter and that no bad activity was taking place in the area.

Meanwhile, the company said it would be difficult to compensate the villagers as actual mining has not yet started.

"At the moment we cannot compensate the villagers because actual mining has not yet started and apart from this it is not a huge land has been dug as well," it said.

The company, is also said to be carrying out similar activity in areas of Traditional Authority Vuso Jere and Kalumo in the district.