DEDICATION

To my parents, Carlos Bernardo Mariano Joaquim Pereira and Joaquim Alberto Francisca
Tembissa, the unconditional support education and teachings that allow me to face all the
challenges of the course in my academic training.
In the memory of my grandmother Maria my friends Pedro Guambe, Fernando Savio and my
girlfriend Amlia Moveta.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The development of this research project would not be possible without the support of all
those who, directly and indirectly contributed.
I would like to thank first of all the God to have provided the gift of wisdom and protection.
My family and girlfriend for their unconditional support.
I express my deep gratitude to teacher Colao for his always available support and help.
I feel that the friendship and the affection of friends, colleagues and particularly Carlos Pedro
Guambe, Elias Malunguissa, are the biggest supporters of my dedication and success in the
course. For these, a special and particular thanks.
Finally a thank everyone who a directly or indirectly cooperated in this work.

ABSTRACT
Mozambique is a country characterized by the occurrence of a large significant number of
very important mineral resources and help to a certain point in its development in different
contexts such as social, economic, cultural, political and technological.
Coal and energy in Mozambique have been around since ancient times, it can be said that
with these two resources the country has known since the ancient times until the present day
in particular the city of Tete, an invaluable economic growth, thus contributing to the
economic recovery program and increasing the quality of life of Mozambicans.
In this research project of English-5, of the first semester of the degree in Mineral Processing
Engineering, taught at Instituto Superior Politecnico de Tete, has approached and briefly
analyzed the theme of the importance of coal and energy in Mozambique.
This work consists of four chapters. The first introduces the theme and objectives of the
work. The second chapter describes the subject and their environmental implications. The
third and final chapter presents the conclusions and recommendations.

KEYWORDS: Importance of Energy. Coal.

CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.........................................................................................................II
ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................III
1

Introduction.........................................................................................................................1

Objectives...........................................................................................................................1

2.1

General objective.........................................................................................................1

2.2

Specific objectives.......................................................................................................1

Research Methodology.......................................................................................................1

Geographical location of Mozambique...............................................................................2

Energy importance in Mozambique....................................................................................3

5.1
6
6.1

Brief history (From the past to modern times)............................................................3

ENERGY............................................................................................................................3
Overview.....................................................................................................................3

Importance of electricity in Mozambique - Cahora Bassa.................................................5

Energy generation in Mozambique and the environmental impact....................................6

Disadvantages of energy in Mozambique...........................................................................6

10

COAL..............................................................................................................................9

10.1

Overview of Coal importance in Mozambique...........................................................9

10.2

Benefits that the Mozambican population has with coal mining...............................11

10.3

Advantages and disadvantages of coal......................................................................12

10.4
Forms the government of Mozambique should adopt for the best carbon
management.............................................................................................................................13
11
11.1

Energy policies of Mozambique...................................................................................14

Objectives of energy policy.......................................................................................14
11.1.1

Coal policy (purposes).......................................................................................15

12

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................16

13

Recommendations.........................................................................................................17

14

References.....................................................................................................................18

Introduction

This research discusses the importance of coal and energy in Mozambique. These two
resources are examples of a worldwide reference, they have an extremely important role in
the economic and sustainable development of the country given that it brings great
contributions in the socio-economic point of view, by their share of world energy matrix.
There are several types of energy, such as renewable energies, e.g. biomass energy, solar,
geothermal, hydro-electric power etc, and non-renewable energy (energy that mostly harm
the environment) examples include thermal energy generated from the burning of coal. It is
important to remember that each of these has its source of generation.
In this research, these two terms will be defined, energy and coal, their importance for the
country, and its implications on the environment that can contribute in a negatively. It is
expected in the course of research to achieve expectations about the relevance of the topic.
2
2.1

Objectives
General objective

This study aims to understand the importance of energy and coal to Mozambique.
2.2

Specific objectives

Know the benefits of power and coal

Know the main existing renewable energy in Mozambique
Know the energy policy and coal in Mozambique;
Propose methods for the prevention of coal and energy impacts;
Consolidate general information about the current stage of energy and coal in Mozambique.
3

Research Methodology

For the preparation of this work, it was necessary to resort to physical research bibliography,
electronic and oral sources (conversation with friends, uncles and parents). The physical

research bibliography consisted of printed documentation, including books, articles and

technical journals.
We used the custom figures in the field of coal and energy in Tete, including: David Selemane
Jos teaching mining in ISPT and author of the study "mining state of the art in Mozambique,
Moatize Basin" https: // www. david Selemane jose & Carlos Hoffmann Sampaio.mz

Geographical location of Mozambique

Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of the African continent, in the western coast of
the Indian Ocean, south of Tanzania, Malawi, and east of Zambia, east of Zimbabwe, north of
South Africa and Swaziland. It has an area of 799.380km 2, extending north-south with 2515
kilometres of coastline along Indian Ocean. It is a country with over 20 million inhabitants
that in recent years are slowly coming out of absolute poverty.

Figure 1: Geographical location map of Mozambique. Source: Available at the website and
ceased on 11/04/2015: http://www. Governmentportal.gov.mz

5
5.1

Energy importance in Mozambique

Brief history (From the past to modern times)

Human history is intertwined with the history of energy, as the first form of energy used by
man was his own body in the struggle for survival in a world where only the strong survive.
The energy story begins in pre-history when the men discovered the uses of fire for food and
protection. But the major milestone of energy use by man took place during the eighteenth
century, with the invention of Steam Machine, which initiated the era of the Industrial
Revolution in Europe, definitely marking the use and the importance of energy in modern
times.
The inventions of mechanical locomotives were one of the first applications for the use of
energy from steam engines, then came as many other ships powered by steam that
significantly contributed to the development of world trade, accessed April 17, 2015 [www
.siecesc.com.mz / coal / history_pdf].
In the case of Mozambican energy story, we refer to the Cahora Bassa in Songo, which
produces and sells energy from the times of war, until the recent times, thus completing a part
of the history of the country for its contribution in the economy.

6
6.1

ENERGY
Overview

Energy is the ability of a body to perform a task; it is a property that is manifested in different
ways, being detected by the effects it produces.
The power supply in the international unit system is expressed in Joules (J), but can also be
expressed in calories, [Http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy definition].
There are two fundamental forms of kinetic and potential energy, which are transformed into
other forms of energy.
Energy is an essential resource for life to exist on our planet. It takes energy to locomote, to
communicate, to illuminate and thermal comfort in homes, etc.
3

Any action involving, for example, movement, temperature variation pre-supposes the
presence of energy. According to Engineer Rauber Jorge (2007), our lives are literally driven
by different energies.
The phrase "our lives are driven by different energies" cited by the author above can best be
explained;
Production, Transportation and Energy Distribution
According to the knowledge acquired in school and industrial classes in the Cahora Bassa
dam practices, the energy produced in power stations regardless of the source (water, coal,
gas, etc.) have a certain amount of tension, for example in Central Cahora Bassa is
16000Volts and is transformed into high voltage, for example 220 000 volts by voltage
transformers elevators installed in the output of generators.
The energy of the power plants is normally done by substations where power is distributed to
various destinations in the region with the same load it receives, for example 220000Volts or
even higher values, 400000 Volts, and today 750000Volts.
Energy Transmission Lines that we see in various places of the country, are means used to
distribute energy to every corner of Mozambique and even to the neighbouring countries e.g.
South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Arrived at their destination, and own substations, high voltage is reduced to medium voltage.
The energy in medium voltage, 11000 Volts, 20,000 Volts, 33000 Volts, 66000 volts, is used
to make the distribution of energy to power the cities and towns and even large industries, for
example to the city of Tete, the Vale Mozambique, Leaf Tobacco, Rio Tinto, Jindal and other
industrial.
In the city and towns, small stations transformation, reduce the medium voltage to low
voltage, 220 Volts or 380 Volts.
This energy is mainly used for domestic and small scale industries purposes, locomotion train
works driven by energy obtained by a diesel engine or linked to its own mains installed along
the train line. The cars that depend on the energy of a gasoline engine, the world's agricultural
labour, industry, services, commerce, is also dependent on the various existing energy.

Importance of electricity in Mozambique - Cahora Bassa

The electricity from Cahora Bassa has become since its construction one of the most
important consumer goods while most of its production was sent to South Africa. At the time
the development of Mozambique was small at the beginning of independence and then
conditioned by civil war.
With the arrival of peace in 1992, it gradually matched the growth of the country whose
development led to higher energy consumption. The development caused the growth of cities
and towns, reactivation and establishment of new industries.
Today, energy is the important and essential commodity for sustainable development of
Mozambican modern society.
In summary growth required more energy and greater energy capacity allows a faster
development.
We use energy to:

Provide the big cities, the interior, large and medium industries
Moving machinery and equipment in the mining industry
Temperature control, speed communications, etc.
To improve comfort in the home and business;
Allows the growth of small industries.

In summary, our production, mobility, efficiency, safety, comfort and various other factors
related to quality of human life, depend somewhat of energy.

Energy generation in Mozambique and the environmental impact

First say that there are several ways of producing energy, each with its advantages and
economic and environmental disadvantages. You can produce energy from renewable sources
such water (case of power Cahora Bassa, Chicamba, Revu, etc.) and non-renewable sources
such as coal from Moatize. With these sources, we can produce energy for domestic and
international consumption.
In the case of Mozambique, for example, there are many water resources, from them it is
possible to generate hydro-electric power that is obtained by the passage of river water
through turbines, producing mechanical power, which enables fully exploited clean energy
production, is the case of the generation of hydroelectric energy of Cahora Bassa which
supplies the local population, national and foreign countries.
9

Disadvantages of energy in Mozambique

Deforestation Cutting down of trees which contribute to the ecosystem.

Increased water level Areas surrounding the lakes or the dams experience the

increase in water level, which in turn affect the local population.

Land clearing during construction of distributing power lines.
Global warming Emission of toxic fumes from burning of coal in hydro-thermal
power production emitted into the atmosphere.

In this sense, greater environmental responsibility calls for greater rigor in the production,
transportation, and distribution of energy in order to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts
on the environment.
The company (personal in general, including industrial) can help conserve the environment
by using energy efficiently and responsibly, because this way you can avoid or reduce the
environmental impacts associated with construction and maintenance of power generation
plants, transmission lines and power distribution networks.

Energy benefits for Mozambique

Economic growth.
Source of income after we sell energy to the neighbouring countries
6

Improves education for those who do night studying

Improves the lives of ordinary Mozambicans.

Description of the types of renewable energy in Mozambique

There are several types of renewable energy in Mozambique namely: solar, wind,
hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, etc.
a) Solar energy
Solar energy is energy from the sun, which can be captured by the solar panels or the use of
solar collectors (thermal energy). One of its advantages is to be a source of energy that derive
from various forms of energy on earth and the amount of light radiation brought by the sun, is
equivalent to thousands of times the energy consumed by humanity, accessed April 17, 2015
[http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/solar/energy difinition].
b) Thermal Energy - Coal Gas.
It is the chemical energy in a fuel (petroleum products, natural gas, coal or wood), processed
by means of a combustion reaction, fuel combustion. The thermal energy can be converted
into mechanical energy by means of prime mover such as a steam turbine, combustion engine
or gas turbine and from there to produce electricity. [Http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Thermal /
Energy / Definition].

c) Wind energy

Wind up draws energy from the wind, i.e., one that is generated by wind turning the blades of
a wind turbines.
The generation mechanism of this energy is by converting the kinetic energy of wind into
mechanical energy of rotation in wind turbine blades, accessed April 17, 2015
[http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind Energy difinition].
d) Biomass Energy
Biomass is all matter of biological origin that can be processed to produce electricity and
among other applications through its conversion.
The biomass today is the main sources of energy for domestic use, for use in developing
countries such as Mozambique in rural areas. It uses the direct combustion of wood,
agricultural residues and the production of ethanol as a fuel for cars as well as for the
production of electricity. Biomass is one of the alternatives considered clean energy.
e) Hydro-electric energy
Hydro-electric energy is obtained from the potential energy of water currents obtained in the
dams, the water flows such as rivers and lakes that are laid on the blades of a hydraulic
turbine or water mill. (Cites as an example the hydroelectric energy production Cahora
Bassa), accessed April 17, 2015 [Pt.wikipedia.org/hydraulic energy].
The production of hydro-electric power is longstanding and can be divided into large
hydroelectric, medium and small. The use of hydro electric power will continue to play an
important role not only for the production of electricity but also the growing need for flood
control and maintenance of water supplies.
Remember that all energy sources have a common goal which is the production of energy as
a driving force for Mozambique

10 COAL
8

10.1 Overview of Coal importance in Mozambique

Coal is a natural resource which is extracted from beneath the earth (underground), through
mining. The coal mining can be open or underground, in terms of history coal, was the source
of energy that started the industrial revolution, but some stories told by elders, say that the
workers of the time of the arrival of the machines steam meant division of labour, and
consequently the reduction of their salary.
The coal mining in Mozambique play a historic role in the economic and sustainable
development, it brings great contributions in the social and economic point of view for their
participation in the world energy matrix.
Despite the serious impacts on the environment, coal is an energy source, widely used.
Among the non-renewable energy resources, coal occupies the first place in abundance and
life perspective, and in the long run the world's most important energy reserve, then oil and
natural gas.
According to Engineer David Selemane Jose in his study of the art of mining and coal in
Mozambique, the country has several coal seams, the best known being the Moatize (Moatize
Coal Basin), in Tete province, considered one of the largest coal deposits in the world, with
reserves estimated at just over 2.5 billion tons.
In Mozambique, at a time when the world is with eyes turned to the national territory, in view
of the good which is recorded in recent times with regard to the discovery and exploitation of
mineral resources, particularly related to Moatize Coal Mineral the coal helped and continues
to help the economic and social development of the country, especially with the entry of
mega-projects for coal exploration. In the case of Tete province, there are the foreign
companies worth Mozambique, Rio Tinto, Jindal Africa and other companies that are mining
coal on a large scale and contributing to the local economy.

The mega projects in Mozambique (case Moatize, coal mining), that contribute to national
economy?

First say that the mega projects are almost exclusive areas of intervention of large
multinational companies e.g. Vale Mozambique because of high costs and the required
qualifications and expertise.
On the other hand the contribution of mega projects for national economy is obviously related
to its share of investment, employment (advantage of Coal for Mozambique), production and
trade.
Therefore, the impact of the wealth produced by mega projects in the national economy is
related to the degree of retention and absorption of this wealth for the economy and not only
by the amount of wealth produced. In other words, the impact of the exploitation of the
Moatize coal depends on how the economy retains and absorbs part of the value of
production and sales of these companies.
Do not just say the impact is great because the mega projects contribute three quarters of
exports of goods. These exports generate wealth for mega projects with it can pay for its
imports.
The main economic links that develop from mega mineral and energy projects are:
production, technology, employment, investment or savings and tax. The resources exploited
by mega projects are not renewable (eg coal that is mined), so you need to find substitutes for
these resources when they run out. This can be understood in another way, for example:
Nowadays parents in the central part of the country, advices their children to do mining
studies soon after they finish their junior secondary education because they see the mining
industry as the permanent solution to unemployment not knowing that coal is a nonrenewable form of energy.
To a certain extent coal operation in Mozambique has the potential to generate a huge flow
of government revenue for a few decades, thus allowing Mozambique to no longer depend on
foreign aid, and therefore consolidate the sovereignty of the State and People on their
political, economic and social issues. If these revenues are used to generate reservations and
broad and diverse development opportunities in productive, technological and commercial
basis, then Mozambique could make the industry a real lever of development.
10.2 Benefits that the Mozambican population has with coal mining

10

 Emergence of job opportunities (employment), for all ages particularly local youth.
Example with the Vale Mozambique in Tete province, several local youth with a basic
or middle school level, were recruited and trained to operate in various areas of
business;
Emergency services expansion, such as the centre of health facilities, schools, sports
fields, building houses, etc.
Increase in the Mozambican economy, taxes channelled to the coffers of the
Mozambican state;
Attracting foreign investors, for example was with the grace of coal that several
diplomats figures abroad visited and continue with the aim of investing in any
business;
Coal Mozambique created in part, the taste for young people to study more and more,
and graduate from higher education in several areas;
Improving the quality of life; for example if we compare the city of Tete 2005, to Tete
2015 logically we will see differences in conditions and qualities of life in different
contexts, such as cultural, social, technological and economic.
In Moatize district, for example coal exploration contributes since its implementation
and start-up, to boost the Mozambican economy, generating jobs and income. Besides
the commitment to job creation, companies stimulate and develop local providers of
services and products. (Advantages for entrepreneurs of the country, because the
companies being operated in the country are forced to buy local products and
services).

10.3 Advantages and disadvantages of coal

The coal advantages are;

Among the non-renewable energy sources, coal is one of the most abundant sources of
energy. It is also one of the cheapest fossil fuels, both for power generation. The amount of
11

electricity produced from coal is not very big, but is considered more reliable than other
forms of energy. Unlike alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, this source
is not at all dependent on the weather. It can be stored safely and, therefore, you can make
arrangements at risk and emergency situations. Likewise, the infrastructure requirements for
processing and transporting coal is to a lesser degree when compared with other fossil fuels,
such as oil and natural gas.
Coal disadvantages are:
This natural resource has a negative impact on the country's politics. Example war between
Frelimo and Renamo parties in recent days occurred struggle for wealth. So this feature as
well as being very important in social and economic causes tension in the political arena.
The coal of a worsened form global warming;
Coal is not renewable;
As with nearly all other energy sources, even some coal has its own drawbacks. One of the
major disadvantages of carbon is the air pollution;
Coal releases many harmful gases, including carbon dioxide and ash released into the
environment when coal is burned to produce energy, accessed April 17, 2015 [https: //
adecru.worldpress.com/.../pollution/difinition / coal]
It is inevitable pollution in mining and coal washing, as well as the transport if there is no
additional care.

The table below shows a summary of advantages and disadvantages of coal.

ADVANTAGES
low price of extracting

DISADVANTAGES
As any fossil fuel, coal ends, it is
non-renewable

High performance in terms of

heating

Burning coal releases carbon to

the atmosphere as greenhouse
gases

Easy handling in the production

of thermal energy
Takes much longer

In its extraction in underground

mines sometimes occurs
accidents, people die
Ends with forests and fauna

12

10.4 Forms the government of Mozambique should adopt for the best carbon
management

Starting from the principle that the energy and the existing coal in Mozambique are nonrenewable resources, that is, at some time cease to exist, then it becomes important to
establish mechanisms or ways to better managed, such as:

To ensure the best control of revenue from coal and energy in various parts of the
country;
The public gains from the exploitation of resources (coal and energy) must be applied
in creating other development opportunities based enlarged and diversified provider
of essential public social services and building social protection systems, so that
future generations of Mozambique have opportunities to develop the country even
when the current resources do not exist;
Another way that the government of Mozambique can take and that I think is
important is that a substantial and significant part of the revenue is allocated to the
communities where for example the mega projects work, so that they are these same
communities to manage these gains for their benefit and for the benefit of future
generations in a sustainable way, democratic, and rational.
Respect pollution, environmental audits of Mozambique must work together with the
people, mainly local people and the government. The audits must present the
population reports on the degree of pollution that companies originate from the
exploitation of resources;
Government or institutions linked to natural resources especially coal and energy
should increase the issue of tax and social responsibility, so that both the people,
companies and the government all feel the degree of economic equilibrium.
11 Energy policies of Mozambique

13

It is for the state to promote and direct the development, defining, for each time the key
objectives and stage of development and utilization of energy resources.
The government has set as a target for the current century, the expansion of the population's
access to energy sources, in good condition for their use in the best possible economic
conditions and preserving the environment.
The rehabilitation of infrastructure and construction of new in order to increase exports of
energy products and electricity as well as increasing its readiness to support the economic,
social and cultural development actions also are objectives of the government.
Institutional development, and the development and reviewing legislation in the energy
sphere, are other priorities of the government. [Energy policy, law of March 3, 1998].
11.1 Objectives of energy policy
Energy policy essentially has the following objectives:
a) Ensure adequate supply of energy at the lowest possible cost to meet the current levels
of consumption and the needs of economic development;
b) Encouraging and promoting construction of small hydro-electric power plants, where
appropriate show, as well as the rehabilitation of previously existing plants;
c) Rehabilitation of power transmission lines for example electrical, building new lines
to neighbouring countries in exports in the context of SADC; . [Energy policy, law of
March 3, 1998].

11.1.1 Coal policy (purposes)

The government's policy is mainly aimed at providing the production of coal by:
Promoting the development of the coal industry, particularly the production and sales of
coal from Moatize;
Rehabilitation of existing mines
14

The government also promotes the adoption of new environmentally friendly technologies
and low cost for the extraction, processing, transport and coal conservation. [Energy policy,
law of March 3, 1998].

12 Conclusion

In general what we discovered from this research is that the country has benefited in various
energy resources especially from coal fields in Tete province. This has also formed a conflict
between various political parties in the country.
On the other hand, the expansion of distribution of power from Cahora bassa from local to
neighbouring countries benefited the Mozambican population in the sense that it generates
15

the much required revenue for the government coffers, therefore improving various sectors of
Mozambican population.
The coal exploitation in Tete attracted a lot of foreign investors to come and invest in
Mozambique, by so doing it improved the economy of the country.
Also the exploitation of coal energy increases the air pollution, land pollution, deforestation,
land degradation leading to floods. Foreigners also increase the chances of more complex
diseases, multi cultural practices.

13 Recommendations

According to the findings of research on the importance of coal and energy to Mozambique,
it is recommended:

Let there be more lectures and discussions on the importance of energy and coal to
Mozambique

16

 Creation of tax incentive programs to better control the negative impacts, caused by
the use of energy and coal in Mozambique;

To enable and encourage coal production practice for example in a sustainable

manner;

Set basic parameters in mining legislation on the use of resources

14 References
[1].Energy policy, law of 3 March 1998.
[2].www.siecesc.com.mz/coal/history_pdf.
[3].DNA 1997; water resources of Mozambique, SYNOPSIS.
[4].MICOA: Synthesis of available information.
[5].http://www.hcb.co.mz.
[6].doerell, PE Home page Coal-Engineering & Mining Journal, 2001.
[7].Chen, JC, liu, ZS, Huang, JS Emission characteristics of coal combustion in different
O2 / N2, O2 / CO2 and O2 RFG ATMOSPHERE.journal of azardous Materials, 2006.

17

18