Mining activities by the company Africa Mining, which has Chinese capital, have been suspended for five months in the Pebane district, Zambezia province, due to the occupation of facilities and infrastructure by local community members who protest alleged unfulfilled social promises made by the company.
According to Rádio Moçambique, the stoppage began with protests by the population, accusing África Mining of failing to meet commitments made to communities affected by the heavy sand mining. This situation led to a total halt of operations on site, with no official forecast for resumption.
The company’s representative in Pebane, Coutinho Eugénio, appealed this week for urgent government intervention to guarantee security and stability conditions so mining activities can resume. “The population continues to block any activity, creating a tense environment that compromises the continuation of the investment,” he stated.
Residents in the areas surrounding the concession claim the company has not implemented previously promised social responsibility actions, such as support for health, education, and community infrastructure. The lack of a formal response from the company or local authorities has fueled popular dissatisfaction and kept the blockade active.
This impasse puts local jobs and tax revenues for the district at risk, as well as raising doubts about the sustainability of foreign investment in sensitive sectors such as mining, which is often marked by land conflicts and unmet social expectations.
The situation in Pebane arises at a time when the government has reiterated its commitment to responsible and inclusive mining, urging companies operating in the sector to fulfill agreements made with communities and respect existing environmental and social standards.
So far, no details have been released about any ongoing negotiations between the company, community leaders, and district authorities. The continuation of the blockade may jeopardize the project’s viability and increase the risk of prolonged conflicts in the region.
Source: Diário Económico
