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Mozambique

By National Minerals Information Center

Mozambique was the world's second-ranked producer of ilmenite

Pictured: rutile, an ore of titanium similar to ilmenite

Statistics and information on the mining industry in Mozambique.

Overview

In 2024, Mozambique was the world's second-ranked producer of ilmenite, accounting for an estimated 21% of global production; third-ranked producer of zirconium mineral concentrates, accounting for an estimated 10% of global production; fourth-ranked producer of graphite, accounting for 3% of global production; fifth-ranked producer of beryllium, accounting for 1% of global production; and sixth-ranked producer of tantalum, accounting for 2% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included aluminum, bauxite, clays, cement, diatomite, gemstones (aquamarine, garnet, ruby, and tourmaline), gold, gravel, refined lead, niobium, rutile, salt, sand, and stone (crushed and dimension). The mining industry contributed about 15% to Mozambique’s gross domestic product and \$4.6 billion to the country’s total output. Mozambique exported heavy-mineral sands to China, aluminum to Singapore, and gemstones (mostly rubies) to the United Arab Emirates. Mineral-related exports to the United States included gemstones, bauxite, and aluminum.  

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Mozambique is provided by the Mining Law (law No. 20/2014 of August 18). The Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia [The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy] oversees the mineral sector and provides services as the central governmental body responsible for guiding and ensuring the implementation of national policy on geologic research, the exploration of mineral and energy resources, and the development and expansion of infrastructure for the supply of electricity, natural gas, and petroleum products. Most mineral commodities were produced by private companies.  

Mozambique’s titanium mineral concentrate production increased by 4% in 2024. Kenmare Resources plc of Ireland advanced the relocation of the Wet Concentrator Plant A to the Nataka ore zone, which hosts most of the Moma Mine’s mineral resources. Mozambique’s graphite production decreased by 64% following interruption of operations at the Ancuabe graphite mine and the Balama graphite operation. These impacts were further intensified by strong competition from synthetic graphite in the international market and by labor disruptions. Triton Minerals Ltd. of Australia agreed to sell 70% of its graphite assets to Shandong Yulong Gold Co. Ltd. of China, which is expected to help bring the Ancuabe graphite project into production. 

 

2024 Report

Full data release with tables here.

In 2024, Mozambique was the world's second-ranked producer of ilmenite, accounting for an estimated 21% of global production; third-ranked producer of zirconium mineral concentrates, accounting for an estimated 10% of global production; fourth-ranked producer of graphite, accounting for 3% of global production; fifth-ranked producer of beryllium, accounting for 1% of global production; and sixth-ranked producer of tantalum, accounting for 2% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included aluminum, bauxite, clays, cement, diatomite, gemstones (aquamarine, garnet, ruby, and tourmaline), gold, gravel, refined lead, niobium, rutile, salt, sand, and stone (crushed and dimension). Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). The mining industry contributed about 15% to Mozambique’s gross domestic product and \$4.6 billion1 to the country’s total output. Mozambique exported heavy-mineral sands to China, aluminum to Singapore, and gemstones (mostly rubies) to the United Arab Emirates. Mineral-related exports to the United States included gemstones, bauxite, and aluminum (Banco de Moçambique, 2025, p. 17, 50; Instituto Nacional de Estatística, 2025, p. 72; Ministério da Economia e Finanças, 2025, p. 19; U.S. Census Bureau, 2025; Ewing, 2026; Friedline, 2026; Hartingh, 2026; Johnston, 2026; Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia, 2026, p. 41; Stewart, 2026). 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Mozambique is provided by the Mining Law (law No. 20/2014 of August 18). The Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia [The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy] oversees the mineral sector and provides services as the central governmental body responsible for guiding and ensuring the implementation of national policy on geologic research, the exploration of mineral and energy resources, and the development and expansion of infrastructure for the supply of electricity, natural gas, and petroleum products. Most mineral commodities were produced by private companies. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities (Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia, 2021, p. 1; Imprensa Nacional de Moçambique, 2014, 1448— (17)). More-extensive coverage of Government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports—International—Africa and the Middle East, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/afric…;

 

Commodity Review  

Titanium and Zirconium.—In 2024, production of titanium mineral concentrates in Mozambique increased by 4% to 3.5 million metric tons (Mt). Kenmare Resources plc (Kenmare) of Ireland produced ilmenite, rutile, and zircon at the Moma Mine in Nampula Province in northern Mozambique. In 2024, ilmenite production from the Moma Mine increased by 2% to 1.01 Mt; primary zircon decreased by 1% to 50,500 metric tons (t); and rutile increased by 17% to 9,800 t owing to circuit upgrades that improved recovery rates. In 2024, Kenmare continued progressing the upgrade and relocation of the Wet Concentrator Plant A (WCP A) to the Nataka ore zone, completing and approving the definitive feasibility study and moving the project into execution. This transition will move the company’s largest mining plant (WCP A) into the Nataka ore zone, which contains most of Moma’s mineral resources (Production table; Facilities table; Kenmare Resources plc, 2025, p. 6, 29). 

Graphite.—In 2024, graphite production in Mozambique decreased by 64% to 34,899 t. The decrease resulted from the shutdown of operations at the Ancuabe graphite mine and the interruption of activities at the Balama graphite operation. These impacts were further intensified by strong competition from synthetic graphite in the international market and by labor issues that contributed to the suspension of mining activities. GK Ancuabe Graphite Mine S.A., a subsidiary of Graphit Kropfmühl GmbH of Germany, suspended operations at the Ancuabe graphite mine under force majeure in 2022, and the mine remained inactive through 2024. The Balama operation (Syrah Resources Ltd. of Australia) faced weak market demand in 2024, which led to intermittent production until community protests and election-related unrest blocked site access in December, forcing a full shutdown under force majeure. In 2024, Triton Minerals Ltd. (Triton) of Australia signed a memorandum of understanding with Shandong Yulong Gold Co. Ltd. of China to sell 70% of its Mozambique graphite assets, including the Ancuabe graphite project. Triton will retain a 30% stake in the Mozambique graphite assets. The divestment is expected to bring Ancuabe into production (Triton Minerals Ltd., 2024, p. 2; Syrah Resources Ltd., 2025, p. 4). 

 

References Cited 

  • Ewing, S.M., 2026, Titanium mineral concentrates: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 198–199. 
  • Friedline, C.A., 2026, Tantalum: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 186–187. 
  • Hartingh, A.M., 2026, Beryllium: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 52–53. 
  • Johnston, S.N., 2026, Zirconium and hafnium: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 214–215. 
  • Instituto Nacional de Estatística, 2025, Anuário estatístico 2024 [Statistical yearbook 2024]: Maputo, Mozambique, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, 126 p. (Accessed March 21, 2026, at via https://www.ine.gov.mz/en/d/anuario-estatistico_-2024.) [In Portuguese and English.] 
  • Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia, 2021, Estatuto orgânico do Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia [Organic statute of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy]: Maputo, Mozambique, Ministério dos Recursos Minerais e Energia, 20 p. (Accessed March 21, 2026, at https://mireme.gov.mz/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Atribuicoes-do-MIREME….) [In Portuguese.] 
  •  Stewart, A.A., 2026, Graphite (natural): U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 92–93. 
  • Syrah Resources Ltd., 2025, Annual report 2024: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Syrah  

 

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