Maputo, June 19, 2026 (Lusa) - The mining company Kenmare Resources and the Civil Society Support Mechanism on Friday agreed to implement a programme worth US$500,000 to strengthen social cohesion and prevent conflicts in mining areas in northern Mozambique.
The programme, to be implemented by local stakeholders between 2026 and 2028, stems from a partnership agreement between Kenmare and the Civil Society Support Mechanism (MASC Foundation), a Mozambican non-governmental organisation (NGO), and aims to strengthen mechanisms for community participation, improve dialogue between the local population and institutions, and support conflict resolution in areas affected by mining activity in the province of Nampula, in northern Mozambique.
“This is a three-year programme that will be implemented in the regions of Larde and Moma and focuses on promoting social cohesion within these communities,” said the executive director of the MASC Foundation, Maura Martins, during the partnership signing ceremony in Maputo.
According to her, the initiative involves setting up an integrated forum including the government, civil society and the company, aimed at ensuring greater community participation in local planning processes and in identifying their development priorities.
The executive director of MASC added that the programme also includes community and institutional capacity-building initiatives, as well as mechanisms for conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution, in a region where mining continues to play a significant role in local economic activity.
“At present, we have an investment of US$500,000 (€436,200) for the programme,” said Maura Martins, adding that the progress of activities may give rise to new funding requirements and that the programme’s implementation will be carried out primarily by local structures, through the identification of community mobilisers and coordination mechanisms established within the regions covered by the programme.
Meanwhile, Gareth Clifton, the manager of Kenmare Resources in Mozambique, stated that the company aims to contribute to strengthening local institutions and to more effective community participation in development processes, arguing that strong communities are essential for the sustainability of investments and for social stability in the areas where the mining company operates.
The Australian company Kenmare has been in Mozambique for over 30 years and operates the Moma mine, one of the world’s largest producers of titanium and zircon, located in Nampula province.
The company is one of the world’s largest producers of mineral sands, listed on the London and Dublin stock markets; its production in Mozambique accounts for approximately 7% of global titanium raw materials, with customers in more than 15 countries who use its heavy minerals in paints, plastics and ceramics.
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