Mozambique: President Chapo considers suspending mining amid Manica’s ‘environmental disaster’ – Watch

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Mozambique: President Chapo considers suspending mining amid Manica’s ‘environmental disaster’ – Watch

2:46 CAT | 17 Sep 2025

Screengrab: STV

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo said on Wednesday that mining is causing an “environmental disaster” in Manica province, in the centre of the country, acknowledging the possibility of suspending the activity altogether.

“What is happening in Manica, I have already said publicly, is practically an environmental disaster and we cannot allow this to happen, because it jeopardises not only wildlife, but we are also talking about plant life, the life of domestic animals such as cattle, goats, which have to drink water, and human beings themselves,” said the head of state, speaking to journalists.

Daniel Chapo was speaking on the sidelines of the awarding of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to former Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, in power since 1975) fighter Marina Pachinuapa by Púnguè University in Manica, saying that the government authorities will continue to take action to stop the pollution of the environment, especially rivers, caused by mining in the region.

“We’re going to take tough measures, even if it’s to suspend activities, we’re going to have to suspend, and we’ve already talked about it, so that we can restore the environment,” said Daniel Chapo.

READ: Mozambique: Mining suspension in Manica province awaits decision from MIREME – report

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.

According to the official, the indefinite suspension of mining in the province will allow for the “reorganisation” of the riverbeds, which have been polluted by mining activity.

On 19 August, Lusa reported that the Mozambican authorities had fined six more mining companies for pollution, bringing the number of companies penalised for environmental crimes in Manica province to 11.

“Last week, while we were holding the national meeting to improve the strategy for mitigating environmental problems, which took place here in Manica province, we made field visits, where we realised that there are still companies that break the law,” said Grácio Cune, the national mining inspector.

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

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

“Because of mining, all the rivers are polluted (…), at the moment we have suspended five companies that are committing this environmental crime, because the activities they are carrying out are spoiling the environment,” the head of state said at the time.

The President said that, in addition to suspending their activities, the mining companies will be forced to pay fines for the offences committed.

“If they continue to pollute the environment, we will even collect the machines that are there and even sell them at public auction,” the president said in May.