An integrated geoscience approach to effective formalization of artisanal mining in Mozambique: A case study of Namuno District, northeastern Mozambique

Abstract

Mozambique's current approach for formalization of artisanal mining entails delimitating designated areas and issuing mining passes for artisanal mining within those areas. However, artisanal gold mining activities in Mozambique are more prevalent in undesignated areas than in designated areas delimitated by the central government, which impedes the effective formalization of the sector. This paper discusses the implication of geological knowledge to the formalization of artisanal gold mining in Mozambique. We present and discuss the geological characteristics and socio-economic aspects of artisanal gold mining in Namuno District, northeastern Mozambique, based on a detailed field survey in four mine sites. Artisanal mining activities in the study area focus on mainly primary orogenic-type gold mineralization associated with quartz veins, which allows for long-lived artisanal mining in the same site. The lack of geological knowledge and prioritization of large-scale resource extraction prevent an effective formalization of artisanal mining. Detailed geological characterization of the potential designated areas for artisanal mining is essential. Providing artisanal mining operators with easily understandable geological information about potential designated areas for artisanal mining, including the nature, characteristics, distribution, and extension of the mineralization, may encourage them to apply for mining passes for those areas.