The International Energy Agency (IEA) has cautioned that Mozambique’s coal production is increasingly at risk due to intense rainfall and climate change impacts, urging the country to strengthen its early warning and disaster prevention systems. The warning was issued in Maputo on Tuesday during the IEA’s National Climate Resilience Assessment of Mozambique presentation, held as part of the Energy and Climate Week organized by the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
According to Rita Madeira, the IEA’s Africa Programme Manager, rising rainfall and frequent flooding could disrupt mining operations, damage infrastructure, and cause waterlogging in coal mines, potentially halting production. She emphasized that these extreme weather events not only affect mining output but also compromise coal transport by rail and reduce coal quality through increased moisture levels.
The report recalled that in 2018, heavy rains forced the suspension of operations at two major mines in Mozambique, leading to a sharp downward revision of the country’s annual coal output.
While acknowledging Mozambique’s efforts to build climate resilience and expand renewable energy investments, the IEA called for stronger monitoring systems and infrastructure modernization to mitigate climate-related risks.
Experts further recommended enhancing grid interconnections between the northern and southern regions to minimize disruptions caused by cyclones and floods to electricity supply.
The IEA stressed that future energy and mining projects should incorporate climate change projections, particularly those related to floods and droughts, to prevent long-term damage to national energy assets.
This latest warning highlights the urgent need for Mozambique to balance its coal–dependent economy with proactive climate adaptation measures as extreme weather events become more frequent across the region.