A Chinese-owned mining company, HS Mining, has blocked a public road providing access to the Mavonde area in Manica district in order to conduct gold prospecting and extraction works. The closure, now entering its second week, is causing significant disruption to the movement of people and goods, drawing concern from residents and agricultural producers who depend on the route.

According to information published on Monday (2) by the newspaper O País, the company closed the road — one of the main links to the Mavonde region — allegedly to facilitate mining operations. The blockage is affecting motorists and local communities, particularly farmers who use the route to transport produce and other goods between growing areas and markets.

Residents say the situation raises serious concerns about population mobility and the flow of agricultural output in a region where farming activity represents a vital source of household income.

One road user, Elias Djokonia, expressed outrage at the decision to close a public thoroughfare, questioning the conditions under which a private company is permitted to occupy public road infrastructure for mining purposes. "We are truly astonished. We are amazed that a Chinese company closes the road claiming it wants to extract gold — and puts the road out of use at a time when, once the rains come, there will be no passage," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The concern is shared by Tendai Hanguire, a driver who has used the road for more than three decades and who considers the alternative route made available to users inadequate. "It is sad because they closed the road we have been using since 1992. I have always driven here. The diversion is not appropriate," he said.

Following the road closure, an alternative route was designated to maintain mobility for motorists and local communities. However, residents warn that the diversion does not offer adequate safety or passability conditions, particularly during the rainy season.

Road users fear that the deterioration of the alternative route could further complicate the transport of people and goods while also increasing the risk of road accidents. The situation is also raising questions about the compatibility between mineral resource extraction and the preservation of public infrastructure essential to the functioning of local economic activity.

Residents are calling on government authorities to clarify the circumstances under which the road was closed and to ensure a solution that allows mining activities to continue without disrupting road traffic. As of the time of publication, no official statement has been released regarding whether an authorisation for the road closure exists, nor on the expected duration of the traffic restrictions.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=557395