Mozambique’s Manica infrastructure director suspended over alleged illegal mining authorisations

Barely a year after he was appointed provincial director of Infrastructure, António Machivique has been provisionally suspended amid an ongoing investigation into mining activities in Mozambique’s Manica Province.

According to Online Domingo, the government of Manica Province, through the Provincial State Representation Services led by Secretary of State Lourenço Lindonde, confirmed the suspension as part of a probe into alleged irregularities within the province’s mining sector.

Machivique is accused of authorising certain mining companies to resume gold operations in the area known as “Seis Carros” in the Vanduzi district, as well as in parts of the Manica district. The approvals were allegedly granted despite a Council of Ministers decree ordering the suspension of mining activities in the province.

Authorities also suspect that exploration permits may have been issued beyond the scope of Machivique’s legal authority.

Speaking on the matter, legal advisor Zacarias Sitole described the suspension as a precautionary administrative measure aimed at allowing the state to conduct a thorough investigation into developments within Manica’s mining sector.

“This is a normal administrative act. Therefore, its preventive suspension was implemented; it should be emphasised, a preventive suspension, so that the State can understand what has been happening in the mining sector of Manica province in recent days,” Sitole said.

The investigation comes as authorities intensify scrutiny of mining operations in Manica, a province known for its gold deposits and growing artisanal and commercial mining activities