Illegal mining in Nampula: Impacts and concerns at Government meeting

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Illegal mining in Nampula: Impacts and concerns at Government meeting

9:30 CAT | 09 Aug 2016

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The provincial government of Nampula has expressed its concerns about the level of illegal mining taking place in several districts across the province. This is particularly unwelcome as it leads to a huge loss in tax revenue for local government.

The issue was raised during a meeting which took place on Monday between the Nampula provincial government and the parliamentary commission on agriculture, the economy, and the environment.

The meeting took place as part of the parliamentary commission’s working visit to the province which began on Saturday.

Presenting his report to the commission, the provincial director of agriculture and food security, Pedro Dzucule, explained that throughout the province there is artisanal and illegal mining. This encompasses precious and semi-precious stones, gold, and building materials such as stone, sand, and clay.

Dzucule highlighted the critical problems in the districts of Nacala Port, Mogovolas, Moma, Memba and Murrupula where excavations have led to serious erosion.

He added that the provincial directorate of mineral resources and energy is taking various steps to stop illegal mining and protect the local economy from significant harm.

The report also revealed that legal mining, particularly building materials, in the province has been hit by the difficult economic situation in the country. It added that delays in disbursing funds from central government have led to a fall in construction projects.

However, in a positive note, the provincial governor, Victor Borges, said that there has been strong growth in the production of heavy mineral sands. He stated that in the first six months of this year the volume of production had surpassed the entire output of 2015.

Source: AIM