In the corridors of Mozambique's mines, the future resembles a golden vein. A gold refinery, the first of its kind, is under negotiation for establishment in this territory. The Kimberley Process, Precious Metals and Gems Management Unit (UGPK), led by Executive Secretary Castro Elias, has attracted the attention of global investors, an echo of the significant progress the mining sector has made in the country.
The projections for 2023 are impressive: production of 1,341.80 kg of gold is expected, along with a 186.0% increase in ruby production, representing 12,636,051 carats. Mineral coal is not far behind, with forecast growth rates of 18.0% for coking coal and 28.0% for thermal coal.
Castro Elias, highlighting the importance of the sector, expressed his conviction that production fully justifies the investment. He mentioned that negotiations are under way with a company that plans to establish a gold refinery in Mozambique. The relevance of this project is clear, as it would give the Bank of Mozambique a valuable opportunity to increase its reserves, according to the manager.
Gold production has exceeded all forecasts: in 2022 it reached 1,263 kg, a historic milestone for Mozambique, and 1,341.80 kg is expected to be reached in 2023.
The sector's success is due not only to the opening of new mines but to the UGPK's intensified tracking. This procedure makes it possible to identify the producers, the quantities, the buyers and the final destination of the product, allowing real production to be gauged and undeclared data to be recovered.
The commitment to the mining sector promises overall growth of 23.1% in 2023. The UGPK intends to further intensify tracking actions to maximise data collection.
The number of gold exporters has been growing, the result of the monitoring work carried out by the UGPK: from two in 2021, it rose to 11 in 2022, and is expected to reach 16 in 2023.
Heavy sands production is also expected to increase, owing to the start of production in the new concessions and the increased output of the largest heavy sands extraction company, reflecting adaptation to pandemic mitigation measures and increased demand on the international market.
Growth in graphite production of around 48.0% is also forecast, following the resumption of the largest producer of this mineral resource.
The development of the Mozambican mining sector, therefore, appears robust and promising, according to current projections. Mozambique's mines shine with the promise of a golden future.
