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Sustainable clinic next to a coal mine

Architects Ernesto González Nagel and João Athayde e Melo describe the design of a clinic built close to the site of one of the world’s largest coal reserves in Mozambique. They explain that the goal was to create a sustainable clinical space with its own healthy microclimate to provide first-class care in specialisms including lung health and audiology for the mine’s 3,000-strong workforce.

Tete province in Mozambique is believed to be home to the largest coal reserve in the world. The mining company that owns and runs the Moatize mine is responsible for the extraction of around 11 million tones of coal every year. It has imposed a strict set of guidelines and principles for the sustainable development action of its projects and operations, articulated with social, economic, and environmental responsibility. 

As part of its social responsibilities the company wanted to provide a medical clinic for its staff and their families. In particular the clinic was commissioned to ensure good lung health and hearing, which are two of the health issues most often associated with working on open-air mines. The clinic also needed to have an emergency area to respond to accidents. This area needed to have the ability to stabilise the patient before evacuation to a main hospital. An area for the maintenance of the protection masks was also included as part of the clinic development. Areas within the clinic needed to include administration, pulmonology, otorhinolaryngology, general practice, emergencies, occupational hygiene, mask maintenance, and technical services. The clinic is designed to cater for 3,000 people, at the final size of the mine, so there was no requirement to cater for future expansion. 

As a means of passive climate control the clinic has been partially dug into the embankment. A gabion wall made of local stone closes all the covered outer spaces. Within this space, six buildings create four patios and the internal crossshaped circulation.

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Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

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Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

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National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

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Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

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