By: Mining outlook

Situated on the southeastern coast of Africa, Mozambique is characterised by its extensive coastline bordering the Indian Ocean. Endowed with abundant and manifold mineral deposits, the country’s landscape encompasses vast lowland plateaus and imposing mountains, while a treasure trove of natural resources lies beneath its surface.

The Mozambican economy greatly benefits from a wealth of sought-after gemstones such as rubies, garnets, and aquamarine, as well as valuable minerals such as graphite, spodumene, and heavy sands minerals. In addition, the presence of metals like gold, as well as practical compounds and elements like coal and gas, make mining a significant contributor to the country’s prosperity.

For more than 1,000 years, Mozambique has been steeped in the tradition of gold mining, as this precious metal was produced on a small scale by artisanal miners. Today, however, the country possesses high-quality commercial coking and thermal coal, iron ore, titanium, and marble. Other valuable commodities include petroleum, steel, niobium, cement, and aluminium. 

Regarding the latter, aluminium plays a critical role in manufacturing aeroplanes and various transportation modes. It also surpasses copper in its ability to conduct electricity, making it a popular choice for use in transmission lines.

In Maputo, Mozambique’s capital city, you can find Mozal, S.A, an aluminium smelter located in the Beluluane Industrial Park. The joint project stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between South32, Mitsubishi Corporation, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and the Government of Mozambique.

The journey to achieving mining success in Mozambique may be lined with valuable metals and minerals, but it is not without obstacles. The industry requires a collaborative approach to promote sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on expanding infrastructure such as roads and railways and creating a reliable electricity supply to bolster business strategies.

Increased exploration and exploitation of Mozambique’s minerals has the potential to grow the country’s economy significantly.