Maputo, Oct. 1, 2025 (Lusa) - The Mozambican government has suspended all mining licences in Manica province, in the centre of the country, and set up an inter-ministerial commission to review the licensing regime, strengthen inspection and move forward with environmental recovery measures.

 "The cabinet has decided to immediately suspend all mining licences in Manica province. The suspension must be applied globally, covering licensed operators and operators who are operating irregularly, in order to stop the degradation and create an environment conducive to institutional reorganisation so that sustainable operations can take place," the cabinet spokesman, Inocêncio Impissa, said at the end of a session of the body in Maputo.

At issue is the environmental pollution in that province caused by mining activity, with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo stating on 17 September that mining is causing an "environmental disaster" and admitting the possibility of suspending the activity altogether.

This suspension of mining licences in Manica follows the executive's consideration of the report from the operational command of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), which conducted an investigation in the province between 17 and 19 July to assess the environmental situation in relation to mining.

On the ground, the commission found "uncontrolled mining" by licensed operators, with companies operating without an environmental recovery plan and waste containment systems, as well as violations of workers' rights.

"Risks to national security and sovereignty were also noted, as groups of foreigners involved in illegal mining were identified who enter through informal routes and feed parallel networks of gold trading, extortion and public insecurity, creating hotbeds of social tension," said Impissa.

The government classified the environmental situation in Manica as "critical", pointing to the "serious pollution" of the rivers, which have "reddish, cloudy and opaque waters" resulting from the direct washing of ores and the dumping of waste from this activity without any treatment.

"The pollution affects water supply sources, putting the survival of thousands of families and the functioning of health centres, schools, and municipal services at risk and, as a consequence, can lead to outbreaks of disease," explained the government spokesperson, who also warned of threats to aquatic fauna and low agricultural production due to this activity.

Faced with this scenario, the government has established an inter-ministerial commission, which comprises the ministries of Defence, Mineral Resources and Energy, the Interior, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Finance, Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, Health, Justice, Labour, Gender and Social Action.

The commission's mission is to review the licensing regime, strengthen inspection, define authorised zones and create effective accountability mechanisms, as well as establish and implement an environmental recovery plan with the active participation of offenders, local authorities, populations and other relevant entities, said the government spokesman.

Impissa said that the suspension of licences will only be lifted when the "minimum conditions" are created for the resumption of activity.

The governor of Manica province said on 10 September that the activities of all mining companies in the region would be suspended indefinitely to safeguard public health and "reorganise" the riverbeds.

"Above all else, human life and public health are at stake. That's why we have to suspend it temporarily," said Francisca Tomás.

In August, the Mozambican authorities announced that they had fined six additional mining companies for pollution, bringing the total number of companies penalized for environmental crimes in Manica province to 11.

In May, the President of Mozambique announced the suspension of activities by five mining companies in Manica Province for environmental crimes and pollution.

At the time, Chapo warned that the pollution of the rivers hampers agricultural activity, even leading to the death of animals and people in the province.

PME/ADB // ADB.

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