Maputo, July 3, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's president said on Thursday that the government was continuing to work towards enabling the resumption of operations at the Mozal smelter, expressing confidence that a solution will be found to reopen the country’s largest industrial facility.
“And we, as the government – I can say that we are continuing to work to ensure Mozal resumes operations, and we are absolutely certain that we will find a solution,” President Daniel Chapo, told journalists.
Mozambique’s Head of State is maintaining an open timeline for the resumption of production and reiterated that the government is maintaining contacts to find a solution that will allow the smelter, whose operations have been suspended since March, to resume operations.
“One day, Mozal will resume operations,” emphasised Daniel Chapo, noting that the recovery of the industrial plant remains a priority for the government.
The Mozal smelter, located in Maputo province, is Mozambique’s largest industrial facility and one of Africa’s largest aluminium producers, playing a significant role in the national economy, exports and employment.
On 15 June, the Australian company South32, Mozal’s majority shareholder, told Lusa that it was evaluating “various options” for the future of the smelter, which has been in a maintenance and conservation regime since 15 March, while discussions on energy supply continue.
According to the company, any decision to resume operations will depend on the availability of a “long-term, affordable and sustainable” energy supply solution, a condition considered essential to ensuring the operation is economically viable.
South32’s chief executive, Graham Kerr, had previously stated that the proposed tariff for energy supply had made the operation “completely unsustainable”, adding that the company might reconsider resuming operations should the supply conditions and costs change.
South32 confirmed on 16 March that Mozal, Mozambique’s largest industrial company, has been in a maintenance and conservation regime since the previous day and expects to spend €52.4 million on suspending the smelter, including worker redundancies.
EYMZ/ADB // ADB.
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