Public acceptance of the mineral extraction industry in Mozambique: A critical perspective

• Public acceptance of mineral extraction is increasingly important. • Improving education to close knowledge and awareness gaps is likely to increase acceptance. • Reforming policies around artisanal and small-scale mining will reduce conflicts. • Aligning mining development plans with local values and priorities will improve trust. The rapidly expanding mineral extraction industry in Mozambique faces various risks, one of which is the lack of public acceptance. The lack of public acceptance of mineral extraction has resulted in interruptions of mining activities, vandalization of mining companies' properties, and public uprisings against large-scale mining operators and the central government, occasionally leading to political instability. Through a comprehensive literature review and assessment of company performance, along with field surveys in the Namuno and Gilé Districts of northeastern Mozambique, and personal experiences, we identify and discuss the key factors that influence public acceptance of mineral extraction in the country. Among several factors, we emphasize (1) the level of understanding and educational background of the local communities, (2) level of trust, (3) the effectiveness of the current formalization scheme for artisanal mining — a labor-intensive mineral exploration and processing that involves small mining deposits and utilizes low-tech equipment, and (4) local cultural and personal values. This contribution explores these factors in detail and proposes practical actions to foster a more publicly accepted and sustainable mineral extraction industry in Mozambique.