Crisis of Compliance
The government of Mozambique has suspended all mining licenses in Manica Province after confirming severe environmental degradation, including contamination of rivers with mercury and sediment runoff from gold operations. The decision affects both artisanal miners and large-scale concessions, halting activity across one of the country’s most productive mining regions. The suspension underscores growing public pressure to protect water sources and enforce environmental standards long neglected by local operators.
Reasserting State Authority
An inter-ministerial commission has been tasked with auditing all mining permits and verifying compliance with environmental and fiscal regulations. For years, weak oversight and informal practices had allowed unregulated extraction to proliferate, eroding state credibility and community trust. The new review seeks to redefine the terms of operation, positioning environmental protection as a prerequisite—not a byproduct—of mining activity.
Between Enforcement and Inclusion
The shutdown poses immediate economic costs but may open the door to structural reform if followed by transparent governance and local participation. To restore its social license to operate, the government must balance enforcement with livelihood alternatives for artisanal miners and clear criteria for responsible investors. The Manica case marks a turning point: a province once known for unchecked extraction is now testing whether environmental justice and economic recovery can coexist.