The Indian mining company Vulcan has announced that it is looking for joint and sustainable solutions to prevent the pollution caused by the coal mine in Moatize.

The announcement comes in reaction to a letter signed by more than 350 people from eight neighborhoods of Moatize, in the district of the same name, Tete province, addressed last week to the mining company to resolve the air pollution issues arising from its open-cast coal mining activities, threatening to "take all legal measures of protest" until solutions are presented within thirty days.

In a statement quoted by Letter from MozambiqueVulcan began by confirming that it had received a letter from the communities of Moatize, reporting particulate emissions in the neighborhoods of 25 de Setembro, Bagamoyo, Chithatha, 1º de Maio, Liberdade, Nhanctere, Malabué and Chipanga (Section 4 and 6), and then promised to take into account all efforts to improve and achieve the target.

"Despite the great efforts made by the company to control particulates, there are still huge challenges to overcome," it said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement and the adoption of the best market practices for carrying out controlled rock blasting close to communities, "thus guaranteeing the implementation of all environmental monitoring procedures."

"As additional measures to minimize any future impact, the company guarantees that it will reduce the load, diameter and depth of the boreholes," adds the mining company.

Further down the line, Vulcan has undertaken to avoid simultaneous dismantling in areas that directly interfere with the community and to reinforce the vegetation cover on the barrier wall that serves as a filter for particulates, as well as installing water cloud cannons on the mining fronts.

However, the mining company recalls in a statement that on August 2 this year, at around 4pm, it carried out three dismantle operations, the furthest of which was around 1,220 meters from the community and the closest 759 meters, with a 300 meter safety radius for people.

"In this type of activity, it is common for particulates to be emitted, which normally disperse in around seven minutes. However, due to the weather conditions this season, the particles remained suspended in the air for longer than usual, which resulted in complaints from the community, although there was no human or structural damage," he pointed out.