The Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), a Mozambican non-governmental organization (NGO), says that the mining activity carried out by Chinese companies in Mozambique is causing discontent in the communities due to the destruction of livelihoods and environmental degradation.

A study presented on Wednesday (28) in Maputo by the CIP concluded that there are abuses committed by Chinese mining companies that are destroying the environment, endangering human health and safety, and called on the government to look into the rights of communities.

Entitled "Extractivism that destroys the environment: Uncovering environmental crimes committed by Chinese mining companies in Mozambique", the CIP study denounces that "this industry has been responsible for causing social, economic and environmental damage to host communities".

"These communities have reported potential cases of environmental crime, with harmful effects on the climate, human health and safety and that of the associated ecosystems," says the study.

CIP's research, which was carried out in the host communities of mining projects implemented by three Chinese mining companies, namely Dingsheng Minerals (Gaza), África Great Wall Mining Development Company Ltd (Zambézia), and Haiyu (Mozambique) Mining Co. Lda (Nampula), also found that "this situation exacerbates social inequalities, poverty, distrust of government institutions by local communities, among other consequences".

According to the same CIP survey, which aimed to assess the impact of the actions of these companies on the environment and on the lives of local communities and to compare this with the complaints reported on various social platforms, "members of the communities close to the projects are unhappy with the damage caused by Chinese companies".

For Mery Rodrigues, a researcher at CIP, "over the last few decades, Mozambique has received several projects related to mining, which have generated expectations of boosting the growth of communities and the country's economy, but which have nevertheless had negative results".

However, in connection with the launch of the study, a source from the Attorney General's Office said that they would evaluate the results carefully and take action if the evidence showed that a crime had been committed.