Maputo, 20 Aug (AIM) – The Indian multinational company Vulcan, which owns an enormous open cast coal mine in Moatize district, in the central Mozambican province of Tete, claims to be looking for joint and sustainable solutions to avoid the pollution caused by coal mining.
The company’s statement, which was published in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, is a response to the letter made public by the residents of Moatize calling for urgent measures to mitigate the negative environmental impact of coal mining.
The letter was addressed to the multinational by the residents of eight neighborhoods of Muhatize district, namely: 25 de Setembro, Bagamoyo, Chithatha, 1º de Maio, Liberdade, Nhanctere, Malabué and Chipanga.
In the statement, the Indian multinational claims despite the great efforts to control particulates emission, there are still huge challenges to overcome.
“On 2 August this year, at around 4pm, we carried out three blasts, with the furthest point being around 1,220 meters from the community and the closest at 759 meters, with a safety radius for people of 300 meters. In this type of activity, it is common for particulates to be emitted, which normally disperse in around seven minutes”, reads the document.
According to the note, due to the weather conditions, the particles remained suspended in the air for longer than usual, which resulted in complaints from the community, “although there was no human or structural damage.”
The company is calling for continuous improvement and adoption of the best market practices for carrying out controlled rock blasting close to communities, thus guaranteeing the implementation of all environmental monitoring procedures.
“We will proceed to reduce the load, diameter and depth of the boreholes”, the note says.
The mining company also pledged to reinforce the vegetation cover on the barrier wall that serves as a filter for particulates, as well as installing water cloud cannons on the mining fronts.
(AIM)
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