Mozambique: Australian company resumes activities in Balama mine – AIM report

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Mozambique: Australian company resumes activities in Balama mine – AIM report

12:50 CAT | 02 Jun 2025

Balama-graphite-operation-credit-syrah-877x470-1

File photo: Syrah Resources

The Australian mining company Syrah Resources, which operates a graphite mine in Balama district, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, has resumed activities following an impasse with local communities, who have been demanding what they regard as fair compensation for those who were displaced by the project last September.

The people who have been demanding fair composition are from the communities of Balama-sede, Pirira, Mualia, Ntete, Ncuite, Marica, 7th September and Nacole.

The company resumed activities thanks to the intervention of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), which culminated in the expulsion of communities from the eight villages who were still demanding compensation.

According to a source, cited in Monday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, the activities were resumed two weeks ago. However, they are taking place at half normal capacity as a result of the work being carried out to clean and repair equipment that had been inoperable since last October.

The source explained that part of the company is still under strong security measures, although the protesters have stopped acting.

“Work on the mine had already begun, but due to force majeure, the protesters were expelled. The riot police (UIR) had to intervene, using armoured vehicles, tear gas and other forms of harassment”, a source said.

This source also revealed that 12 members of the community who had been arrested were released. However, they live under the surveillance of the local authorities. “The detainees are free. But so far nothing has been said about the compensation.”

“With the security measures imposed around the mine, the uncontrolled movement of families is considered dangerous, even in the case of searching for building stakes or firewood”, he added.

Source: AIM