Experts and representatives from the mining sector argued on Tuesday, April 14, in Nampula, for the need to accelerate the formalization of artisanal mining and strengthen the inclusion of women as a way to promote better working conditions, access to financing, and a greater contribution to the country’s economic development.
These ideas were presented during the workshop “Women’s Voices in the Mining Industry: Perspectives and Testimonials,” organized by the +Emprego Project in partnership with other stakeholders, with the aim of creating a platform for sharing experiences, identifying solutions, and formulating recommendations to strengthen the role of women in the country’s mining industry.
Official data reveal inequalities in the sector
In his presentation, Wilson Mujovo, Deputy National Director of Geology and Mines at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), painted a detailed picture of artisanal mining in the country, based on the results of the first Census of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners, conducted in 2021.
According to him, the country has 229,680 artisanal miners, spread across 2,162 mining sites, of which 1,577 are active. However, only about 12% of these workers are women, which highlights their still-limited participation in the sector.
Another key finding indicates that approximately 60% of miners are engaged in gold mining, while a significant portion extracts construction materials such as sand, stone, and clay. Nevertheless, women earn lower average incomes than men, which reinforces existing inequalities in the sector.
Women Face Structural and Social Barriers
In the second presentation, Sofia Mussa, head of the women’s division in Mozambique’s mining sector, emphasized that although women are present throughout the entire value chain of artisanal and small-scale mining, “they continue to face multiple challenges” that limit their empowerment.
“Women are involved in extraction, processing, logistics, and marketing, but they continue to work under precarious conditions and with little capacity for organization,” she stated.
As she explained, informality is one of the main obstacles, hindering access to information, financing, and growth opportunities. She added that “many women are not yet organized into legal associations or cooperatives, which limits their capacity for negotiation and representation.”
Among the challenges identified, she highlighted the use of rudimentary technologies, exposure to hazardous substances such as mercury, and the lack of adequate occupational safety conditions.
Sofia Mussa also highlighted social issues associated with the industry, such as child labor, alcohol and drug use in mining communities, as well as cases of violence and sexual harassment.
“Breaking down barriers and fostering inclusion means recognizing the central role of women in mining and creating conditions for them to thrive,” she emphasized.
Formalization and training as priority paths
Given this scenario, the head of the mining sector’s women’s division advocated for formalization as a decisive step toward transforming the sector.
“Formalization is not just about fulfilling a bureaucratic requirement; it is about opening doors to economic and social inclusion,” she stated, adding that this process ensures legal certainty, access to formal markets, and better working conditions.
Among the proposals presented, she highlighted the need to revise mining legislation to incorporate a gender perspective, create specific financing programs for women, invest in technical training, and promote women’s leadership in cooperatives and associations.
She also noted that organized women tend to reinvest more in their communities and adopt more responsible environmental practices, contributing to the sector’s sustainability.
For his part, Wilson Mujovo advocated for strengthening ongoing formalization efforts, including the creation of cooperatives and associations, as a way to improve miners’ organization and facilitate their integration into the formal economy.
Both speakers agreed that the inclusion of women in artisanal mining should not be viewed merely as a social issue, but as an essential strategy for increasing productivity, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.
The +Emprego II project arose from a partnership between the European Union and Camões, I.P., and from the need to provide young people in Cabo Delgado and Nampula with access to opportunities created by investment projects and self-employment, particularly in emerging sectors such as the digital transition, transportation, and logistics. The initiative represents a clear sign of Europe’s commitment to boosting employment and decent work for young Mozambicans and to the socioeconomic stability of the two provinces. With a duration of four years, +Emprego II has a total budget of 8.5 million euros, with 6.5 million funded by the European Union and 2 million by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and the Portuguese Language.
Source: Diário Económico
