Artisanal miners leave Chimanimani Reserve – Manica, Mozambique

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Artisanal miners leave Chimanimani Reserve – Manica, Mozambique

1:58 CAT | 22 Jun 2016

manica.gov.mz (File photo)/ A view of Quinta da Floresta in the Chimanimani Reserve

Thousands of artisanal gold miners are abandoning the Chimanimani reserve in the central Mozambican province of Manica, apparently because the gold seam at Chimanimani has been worked out.

The Chimanimani reserve is one of the main conservation areas in Manica. Nonetheless, three associations of artisanal miners were set up and have been working in Chimanimani since 2006/07.

The administrator of the reserve, Candida Luca, told AIM there were about 9,000 miners, including both Mozambicans and Zimbabweans. They were working a gold seam in the areas of Baculamambo, Muzange and Mussanditerere, in the foothills of Mount Binga, the highest mountain in Mozambique.

Mhoje_chimanimmani_photo_jpg — Domingo (File photo)

But now they are leaving, since the area is running out of gold. At least, the seam is no longer producing gold of the quality demanded by the market. So the miners are moving to an area south of the reserve, where gold and other minerals are still available.

Lucas was relieved by the miners’ decision to leave, because their presence in the reserve had made it extremely difficult to preserve its natural resources.

“It’s a great victory for us”, she said. “We didn’t know when they were going to leave this area. It was difficult for us to work because, apart from their mining activity, they killed animals which ought to be protected. Here we have elephants, kudu, eland and other protected species”.

The Chimanimani reserve borders on Zimbabwe, and is noted for its biodiversity and spectacular views. With the miners gone, there is increased opportunity for tourism in the area.

Source: AIM