Manica Governor reports difficulties controlling illegal mining at Seis Carros

The Governor of Manica, Francisca Tomás, has acknowledged the significant challenges in controlling illegal artisanal gold mining at the ‘Seis Carros’ mine. Speaking at the Conference on Value Addition to Mineral and Energy Resources (CAVAME-d), she noted that the site has previously hosted as many as 12,000 miners.

The unregulated nature of the mining has led to frequent fatalities caused by interconnected and unstable pits. In the Vanduzi district, at least nine people died in September due to land collapses linked to these activities. The current excavations have reached depths of approximately 20 metres, increasing the risk of collapses, particularly during the rainy season.

To address the danger and lack of order, the provincial and district governments are working to organize miners into cooperatives. This initiative aims to transition artisanal mining into a formal, organized, and sustainable practice that allows the community to exploit resources safely while contributing to the formal economy.