Mozambican government closes Dhlakama gem mine

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Mozambican government closes Dhlakama gem mine

9:19 CAT | 29 Jul 2016

Voa (File photo)

The General Inspectorate of Mineral Resources and Energy has closed down a gem mine belonging to Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the Renamo opposition party, in Báruè district, Manica, in the centre of the country, allegedly for lack of tax compliance.

The company that operates the tourmaline mine in Barue district, currently the scene of violent clashes between government and Renamo forces, was fined in 2015 for non- payment of taxes and for safety breaches after a security incident killed one miner and injured six others.

Another mining company, Sominha (Sociedade Mineira de Nhampassa), which operates in the same area as the Dhlakama mine, has ceased operations for lack of security due to the current political and military crisis.

An analyst in Barue says that the closure of the Dhlakama mine is suggestive of an assault on the logistics of the opposition guerrilla army, said to be behind military activities aimed at securing control over six provinces in the centre and north of the country since the beginning of the year.

According to Joao Lima, unregistered miners are taking advantage of the lack of security to loot gem deposits in other areas of Manica province too.

Statistics from the provincial mining directorate reveal that a further 17 mining licenses have been cancelled for breaches of regulations, including the lack of submission of annual activities plans and reports, nonpayment of dues and fines or forfeiture.

Source: Voa Portugues