Thriving communities

Kenmare’s mining concession occupies 34,000 hectares of coastal area, where approximately 45,000 people live in the localities directly or indirectly affected by mining activities.

Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs)

When Kenmare plans to develop its operations, an independent consultant carries out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The ESIA guides operations and provides Kenmare with an understanding of the effects on local communities and sets out ways to manage and address related impacts and opportunities.

To ensure the perspectives of affected communities are considered, public consultations are undertaken, and the
outcomes are published. A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) sets out the details how any displacement of people will be managed.

This plan is a critical component of projects that involve land acquisition, relocation or economic displacement. If the plans require the displacement of homes and machambas (farmsteads), Kenmare conducts extensive consultation with local authorities and affected communities. This is carried out in accordance with Mozambique’s resettlement legislation, outlined in the box opposite, and the IFC Performance Standard 5 guideline. This ensures that appropriate information is provided and that those affected are consulted and informed about the plans and receive fair and timely compensation for loss of assets.

The approach provides adequate housing and security of farming tenure at resettlement sites and aims to improve the living conditions of people being physically displaced. Kenmare’s commitments to minimise negative impacts, and ensure that affected individuals or communities receive adequate compensation and support are set out in the RAP. This typically includes livelihood restoration, construction of new houses and associated community infrastructure and relocation of graves, where required. Arrangements are made to provide compensation for the temporary or permanent loss of farmland, provision of alternative farmland, and investments in community development and agriculture. Other issues relate to access to natural resources: trees for firewood and construction, water for washing and fishing; safe access routes to the sea through mining areas; and socio-economic development needs in education and healthcare etc. Once the RAP is approved by the community and local authorities, the plan for the Mine can be implemented.

Kenmare’s Human Rights Policy outlines its commitments to respecting the rights of people in communities impacted by its activities, including the right to water, land and a safe environment. The Company engages with people in host communities to identify potential adverse impacts on human rights and takes appropriate steps to avoid, minimise and/or mitigate them. These include access to natural resources, access to water, employment, education and healthcare. More information can be found in the Company’s Human Rights Policy.

Ernesto Macamo, Kenmare’s Head of Security commented: Commitment to the Voluntary Principles is integral to upholding Kenmare’s reputation, our social licence to operate and ultimately protecting the human rights of the communities who live and work near the Mine. We look forward to building on this positive start to the new year and engraining the principals within our teams so they can confidently manage any security situation they may encounter. 

Creating youth work experience opportunities 

Kenmare’s partner MozParks, who operates an Industrial Park for Kenmare in Topuito, promotes youth employment in Topuito through the MozYouth Internship Programme.  MozParks is reinforcing its commitment to local development by supporting youth employment through a 6-month paid internship program run by MozPark’s sister organisation, the MozYouth Foundation.

The programme for 20 internships is funded by Irish Aid and Kenmare’s suppliers will host the interns. One supplier, Transworld, is taking on interns in their logistics management and Health, Safety and Environment departments. The young interns are all from the local area and received provincial-level training, including at the Industrial and Commercial Institute of Nampula, Rovuma University, and Nacala Porto Secondary School, highlighting the program’s focus on developing and including local talent. A second supplier, Hydro Precision, is taking on interns who trained locally at the KMAD founded Polytechnic Institute of Larde in their mechanics department. These 6-month internships provide practical experience, work readiness and employability training, specialized skills development, and real opportunities for integration into the labour market, strengthening the connection between Kenmare’s supplier companies and the local community.