Mozambique: Chinese company's 'devastating mining operations' suspended following Amnesty exposé

Chinese mining company Haiyu put an entire village at risk of being washed into the Indian Ocean

Responding to the Mozambican Government’s recent decision to suspend the operations of Chinese mining company Haiyu after Amnesty International exposed the human cost of the company’s irresponsible practices in the country, Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, said:

“Haiyu’s irresponsible practices have devastated lives in the coastal village of Nagonha, likely contributing to flash floods that put more than one thousand people at serious risk of being washed into the Indian Ocean and left hundreds of people homeless.

“With so many lives at risk, the decision by the Government of Mozambique to suspend Haiyu’s mining operation is a welcome move.

“However, if the Government of Mozambique is serious about protecting the human rights of the people of Nagonha, it is essential that the community is genuinely consulted in all discussions in order to facilitate equal and effective access to justice to all victims of human rights abuses.”

Background

On 28 March, Amnesty released a report on the irresponsible mining activities of Chinese mining company, Haiyu, in Mozambique. It is likely that Haiyu’s operations contributed significantly to a flash flood in 2015 in the village of Nagonha, which destroyed 48 homes and left 290 people homeless. 

Haiyu did not conduct a proper environmental impact assessment or consult with the community prior to establishing its business, despite international law and national legislation requiring it to do so.

The Government of Mozambique announced the decision to suspend Haiyu’s operations on 22 May.