Safety and Sustainability in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Operations in Mozambique

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an important source of livelihood in Mozambique, directly involving over 100,000 people, largely through informal and poorly regulated operations (Delve, 2020). ASM activities are concentrated in provinces with high mineral potential, including Manica, Tete, Zambézia, Niassa, Nampula and Cabo Delgado (Mapurango, 2014), and primarily involve the extraction of gold, precious and semi-precious stones, as well as construction materials. Despite its socio-economic relevance, the sector is characterised by weak technical organisation, limited regulatory integration and widespread informality.

This study examines the main safety and sustainability challenges associated with ASM in Mozambique, with particular emphasis on occupational health and safety and environmental management. The methodological approach is based on a review of secondary literature and documentary analysis of existing legal and policy frameworks. The analysis indicates that high levels of informality contribute to unsafe working conditions, inadequate use of personal protective equipment, frequent occupational accidents and significant environmental degradation, including soil and water contamination.

Recent regulatory interventions, such as the suspension of mining licences in Manica Province in October 2025 due to uncontrolled discharge of mining effluents, highlight the urgency of strengthening environmental governance and enforcement mechanisms. The results suggest that the adoption of sustainable mining principles—focused on risk management, environmental protection, decent working conditions and long-term economic viability—can substantially improve the performance of ASM operations. Practical measures include basic technical training, increased awareness campaigns on occupational health and safety, gradual adoption of appropriate technologies and progressive formalization supported by effective monitoring.

In conclusion, enhancing safety and sustainability in ASM is essential not only to reduce occupational and environmental risks but also to ensure that small-scale mining continues to positively contribute to local communities and the national economy.