in called Amisa, was visited by Arab sailors during the 15th century. At the time, the island’s population was primarily Muslim. Portuguese traders were attracted to the island by its Maluane cloth industry. The Quirimbas Archipelago itself has rich ecological value: coral reefs, mangroves, marine biodiversity; it’s submitted on the UNESCO tentative list for its natural and cultural heritage.
More recently, the Mozambican government has created a Palma-Quirimbas Environmental Protection Area, which covers parts of the archipelago. This could affect the viability of large-scale private development, or at least place constraints on investments. The very low share capital for Niassalândia Lda (just ~50,000 Meticais) seems incongruous with the scale of ambition (mining + island investment) reported. Critics have questioned whether the project is serious or symbolic.
