Mozambique decides to take action on precious stones
Posted by African Press International on December 4, 2007
Maputo (Mozambique) Mozambique has slapped a blanket ban on trading in precious stones in the countrys central Manica Province following an influx of foreigners illegally buying the minerals, provincial governor, Mauricio Viera, has announced during a gathering to mark 30th anniversary of the Mozambican Youth Organisation.
Following the discovery of huge deposits of tourmalines and rubelite in Barue district, the precious stones are attracting dealers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Senegal and other countries, Viera said on Monday.
\”They are just digging indiscriminately,\” he said of the foreign miners, adding that Mozambicans were unaware of the value of tourmalines.
Vieira, who said to have travelled personally to Barue last week, said he had found that illegal mining was continuing in the district.
\”The illegal miners are extracting stones of great value and we have decided to ban the activity,\” he said.
The governor said a study was now under way to ascertain the true extent of the Barue deposits and the types of precious stones found there and a plan is being drawn to determine the government\s decisions on how to exploit these resources.
Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@getmail.no source.apa
