Alcides Cintura, President of the Manica Business Council (CPE), underscored the imperative need for establishing a gold refinery in central Mozambique to bolster the province’s economic landscape and enhance the organization of the mining sector.
Highlighting the abundance of mineral resources, including gold and precious stones, in districts like Manica, Gondola, Báruè, Macossa, Guro, and Vanduzi, Cintura emphasized the urgency of regulating their exploitation, which currently operates largely without oversight.
“The establishment of a refinery will not only create job opportunities for young people but also boost revenue collection for the state and invigorate the mineral resource value chain,” Cintura stated.
Speaking at a seminar assessing the mining sector’s challenges, Cintura acknowledged recent progress, particularly with the emergence of mining cooperatives. However, he cautioned that clandestine mining activities persist, hindering the sector’s growth potential.
“Illegal mining remains prevalent across various districts, attracting both national and foreign individuals, particularly youths, who employ environmentally damaging techniques,” he remarked. “These activities often evade taxation, with the resulting products being sold through unofficial channels.”
Currently, the region hosts ten associations, 20 companies, and over 8,000 artisanal miners engaged in gold extraction. Cintura’s advocacy for a gold refinery aims to address these challenges, fostering a more organized and sustainable mining sector in central Mozambique.
