Mina de areias pesadas de Moma
Maputo, 10 Sep (AIM) – Mozambique’s Inspectorate-General of Mineral Resources and Energy (IGREME) has decided to temporarily suspend mining in the central province of Manica.
The measure follows denunciations from the local population, who have been complaining about environmental pollution, contamination of the rivers caused by artisanal mining. The pollution is affecting, for example, important sources of drinking water such as the Revue river and the Chicamba reservoir, causing serious public health problems.
The artisanal miners use highly toxic substances such as mercury, which is killing off aquatic life. The latest reports from Chicamba say that there are no longer any fish in the reservoir.
Furthermore, the build-up of sludge may make it difficult for the power station at the Chicamba dam to generate electricity until the turbines have been thoroughly cleaned.
Last August, the authorities penalized and fined 11 companies for environmental crimes in the same province.
According to the local government, the involved companies are being notified and the measure covers all companies with mining concession operating in the region. No details have yet been given on the duration of the suspension.
It is known that one of the suspended companies belongs to Jacinto Nyusi, son of the former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
(AIM)
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