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Mozambique: Environmental impact of mining will take time to heal in Manica province – National Environment Director
3:27 CAT | 01 Oct 2025
File photo: STV
The Mozambican National Environment Director warned on Tuesday that the environmental impact caused by mining in a river in the province of Manica, in central Mozambique, will take time to resolve, despite the suspension of activities in the region.
“The impact has been going on for a long time and we don’t expect the situation to be resolved tomorrow. Not even if the exploration process stops (…), that impact will still take some time,” said Francisco Sambo, emphasising the seriousness of the situation that has accumulated over several years.
He explained that the deposition of sediment on the riverbed is not just the result of recent activities, but an ongoing process that therefore requires in-depth interventions.
“Some work needs to be done, even, if possible, dredging the river itself because the sediment has been there for many years, it’s not just sediment from the last few years,” said the National Environment Director.
Sambo also emphasised the role of supervision, carried out by the Environmental Value Control Agency, which has issued corrective measures and monitored operations in the region.
“The Environmental Value Control Agency has been there carrying out inspections, issuing corrective measures and fining those who are not carrying out proper exploitation,” he explained.
He also pointed out that companies wishing to continue their activities will have to comply with the existing environmental regulations.
“When companies come to renew their licences (…), they are obliged to submit audit reports on their activities. And when we detect anomalies, we don’t renew the licences,” concluded Francisco Sambo.
On 17 September, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said that mining was causing an “environmental disaster” in Manica province, in the centre of the country, admitting the possibility of suspending the activity altogether.
Chapo warned that the pollution of the rivers makes agricultural activity difficult, even leading to the death of animals and people in the province.
The governor of Manica province said on September 10 that the activities of all mining companies in the region would be suspended indefinitely, to safeguard public health “and the reorganisation” of the riverbeds.
On 19 August, Lusa reported that the Mozambican authorities had fined six more mining companies for pollution, bringing the total number of such companies penalised for environmental crimes in Manica province to 11.
Source: Lusa
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