Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ernesto Max Tonela says gold production can grow in Mozambique. The prospect is justified by the start-up of two new ore extraction units in Manica and Zambézia provinces.

The leader says the government intends to make mineral resources a major contributor to the country's industrialization and economic development.

For Max Tonela, it is urgent to promote more investment and ensure greater private sector participation in mining.

"In the first half of this year we recorded an increase in the order of 27 % and even the prospect of growth that we expect for the year 2021. We continue to work to bring in more foreign national investment for a better use of the resources that the country has," he said.

Max Tonela laments the existence of smuggling in the mining sector and says that measures are being implemented in order to curb the phenomenon.