Mozambique launches operation against illegal miners

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Mozambique launches operation against illegal miners

2:12 CAT | 24 Feb 2017

DW / Illustrative picture: 'Garimpeiros' in Nampula province

The ongoing operation against illegal mining and prospecting began on February 9 in Montepuez district in Cabo Delgado province and is to expand to more mining areas.

Of the 3,000 people identified, more than half were foreign, with 1,500 illegal immigrants being sent back to Tanzania.

According to Abdul Chaguro, head of the department of the province’s Natural Resources and Environment Protection Police, the operation “will extend to other mining areas in Cabo Delgado province”.

“From police analysis, it is apparent that areas where illegal mining takes place have more violent crime, often involving firearms. This operation aimed at removing everyone from the ‘garimpo’ (illegal mining) areas,” Chaguro explained.

The operation, run by a multisectoral force from several police departments, was flagged well in advance.

“The operation was preceded by warnings from district administrations and local authorities calling on people carrying out these activities to leave on their own initiative,” Chaguro said, adding that “many foreigners did so”.

Chaguro repeated the call: those mining illegally in these areas must leave “voluntarily”, and anyone who wants to pursue mining activity must do so legally, with a license from the competent authority.

Despite the warning, by Monday 3,220 people had been removed, split between nationals and foreigners. “The people who were removed were linked directly to illegal mining or lending for the purposes of illegal mining,” Chaguro noted.

Among those identified, more than half (1,634) were nationals. Of the foreigners, who were being repatriated, the majority (1,561) came from Tanzania, alongside some the Gambia, Senegal, Thailand and Mali.

Tanzania says it is monitoring the situation. Aziz Mlima, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that authorities in Tanzania were working with Mozambique.

“The main responsibility of the Tanzanian government, through its embassy in Maputo, is to ensure that the interests of law-abiding Tanzanians, even if non-complaint, are safeguarded. Officials there will liaise with the Mozambique government to ensure that Tanzanians are safe, and organise logistics for their return,” he says.

Source: Deutsche Welle