Mozambique has introduced a new mining law that provides a clearer legal route for small miners, with the National Assembly approving Law No. 7/2026 on 7 May 2026. The law, published on 3 June, introduces separate licences for artisanal and small-scale mining, allowing authorities to reserve areas specifically for these activities. This move recognises the sector's different operating models and creates a clearer route into the formal economy.
The new law was outlined by Jorge Gerson Momade Daúde, Mozambique's secretary of state for mines, at a national dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining held in Maputo on 2 October. The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights organised the forum, which covered formalisation, human rights, and local development. The law places human rights within the mining framework, requiring holders of mining rights to submit periodic compliance reports to the relevant authorities.
The law also includes monitoring provisions to cover conditions in mining areas and the effects on nearby communities. The framework states that mineral resources must benefit local communities, with access, use, and resource benefits respecting their rights. Daúde emphasised that the law provides compensation and resettlement where mining affects pre-existing community rights, strengthening community safeguards.
Mozambique's mining reform links formal licences with stronger community safeguards, which could have significant implications for investors. The artisanal sector has a substantial economic reach, with the 2021 Artisanal Miners Census recording approximately 230,000 miners and over 800,000 people across the wider value chain. These figures highlight the importance of formalisation beyond mining permits.
However, operators in the artisanal sector still face major constraints, including limited geological information, weak technical support, and difficult routes to market. Access to finance remains another barrier, and inspection capacity needs strengthening, particularly in areas with rapid informal activity. The new licences could improve visibility across the sector and support better access to finance, technical services, and lawful buyers.
The implementation of the law will determine its commercial impact, with authorities needing to define reserved areas clearly, process applications efficiently, and enforce operating standards consistently. Investors will be watching whether reporting requirements produce reliable information, and community engagement will remain crucial. Compensation and resettlement rules can reduce disputes when projects affect established rights.
The practical challenges of implementing the law are already evident in Manica province, where disorganised extraction has damaged soil and polluted waterways. These impacts can threaten farming, public health, and local livelihoods, highlighting the need for effective enforcement of the new law.
Key points
- The new law introduces separate licences for artisanal and small-scale mining.
- The law requires holders of mining rights to submit periodic compliance reports.
- The artisanal sector has a significant economic reach, with approximately 230,000 miners and over 800,000 people across the wider value chain.