Mozambique

Mining has played a significant role in Mozambique's economy since the colonial period. In the early 20th century, Portugal established large-scale mining operations to extract coal from the country's northwestern province of Tete. These operations were carried out mainly by foreign companies, resulting in little benefits for the local population. During the country's long civil war (1977-1992), mining activities were largely disrupted, but following the end of the war, the government embarked on efforts to revive the sector.

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Since the 1990s, Mozambique has attracted significant foreign investment in mining, particularly in the development of coal and natural gas resources. The largest coal mines in the country are found in the Tete province and are operated by companies such as Vale, Rio Tinto, and Jindal Africa. In recent years, the discovery of substantial natural gas reserves in the Rovuma Basin off the country's northern coast has also triggered investments from major international oil and gas companies such as Total, ExxonMobil, and Eni. Despite the potential benefits of these investments, the exploitation of natural resources remains a contentious issue in Mozambique, with concerns raised about the social and environmental impacts of mining activities.