The Socio-Environmental vulnerability in context of semi-precious and gemstones mining, case study of Namanhumbir in Montepuez district (Mozambique), between 2004 to 2011.

Abstract

The research analysed the socio-environmental vulnerability in areas where gemstones such as ruby and tourmalines are exploited in Nanhupo and Nseue, in Montepuez District, between 2004 and 2011. This analysis was based on the methodology of Figueirêdo et al., (2009 and 2010), and consisted in: a) choosing the system and the socio-environmental questions; b) identifying indicators for assessment; c) defining the criteria (exposition, sensibility and capacity of response). The field research was carried out in Nanhupo and Nseue, where semi-structured questionnaires were applied to 49 miners and 49 local residents, not only this but also 5 surveys were conducted. The final socio-environmental vulnerability index of those villages was 3.86, which makes it high vulnerability were the criteria of exposition (1,15) and capacity of response (11,29) defined this value. The research showed that ruby is the most exploited gemstone, and 61% of the miners work in opencast mines, in both villages the study indicated that 100% of the miners work without safety equipment. Therefore, the beginning of mining increased creel making access by the poorest population, in the other hand this research allowed to better understanding the relationship between the gemstones exploitation and environmental vulnerability in these villages, as well as its relationship with income increases and improving living conditions of the miners and the local residents.