The new administrator of the Vanduzi district in Manica province has been challenged to take urgent measures to curb illegal gold mining in the Seis Carros area, which has been plagued by disorder and frequent fatal accidents resulting from landslides, according to Lusa.
According to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM), the appeal was made by the Secretary of State for Manica Province, Lourenço Lindonde, during the inauguration ceremony for Armando Mude Mapenze Canheze, who is replacing Admira Chitsumba after nearly nine months at the helm of the district.
According to Lindonde, the new leader is taking office in a particularly sensitive context, characterized by disorganized mining operations that have resulted in the loss of human lives. “There have been deaths following landslides. We believe that, with his experience, he will be able to help reorganize the district and prevent more citizens from losing their lives,” he stated.
The official emphasized the need to ensure that mining activities proceed in a sustainable, organized manner and in compliance with regulations, without endangering the lives of those involved.
In addition to cracking down on illegal mining, Armando Mude was also urged to revitalize the agricultural sector with a view to increasing production and productivity, in an effort to strengthen food and nutritional security in the district.
Vanduzi has significant potential in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and poultry farming—factors that, according to Lindonde, should be leveraged to position the district as a leading producer in the province. “We aim for Vanduzi to emerge as one of the most productive districts, capitalizing on its arable land and existing conditions,” he noted.
Gold mining in Seis Carros involves more than 10,000 people, including both nationals and foreigners, as well as public servants who temporarily leave their posts to engage in mining activities.
Armando Mude, an officer with the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, previously served as provincial commander of the force in Manica and with the coastal police, and is now returning to active duty after seven years in the reserves. He assumes the position at a critical moment, when controlling illegal mining and preventing accidents are immediate priorities for local authorities. For her part, the outgoing administrator stated that she is leaving the position with a sense of mission accomplished.
