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Blessed Ground

Ricardo Lopes

"Blessed Ground" is a photographic essay on the consequences of international gold mining in rural communities along Mozambique’s Púnguè and Revué rivers.

After excavation rendered surrounding land less productive, many residents turned to artisanal gold mining, panning sediments left behind by industrial activity. Livelihoods shifted away from agriculture toward informal and unstable sources of income, amid limited employment opportunities and unresolved questions around compensation. These changes have contributed to increased economic insecurity and social strain within local communities.

Artisanal mining often takes place without oversight, and hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide are sometimes used without adequate safeguards. When released into the environment, these chemicals can contaminate water sources, crops, livestock, and fish. Local health workers have reported a rise in neurological illnesses among children, prompting growing concern about long-term exposure to heavy metals.

At the same time, limited transparency around agreements between state authorities and mining operators, combined with land displacement, has left many communities facing uncertainty about their future. Residents describe a sense of marginalisation, as environmental degradation, health risks, and economic precarity converge across generations.

According to the UN, artisanal small-scale gold mining employs around 15 million people worldwide—including 4–5 million women and children—often in remote rural areas with few alternatives. The sector produces 12–15% of the world’s gold and is responsible for 35% of global mercury pollution.


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