Ndalatando - The government plans to resume iron mining exploitation within three years in Kassala-Kitungo mines, northern Cuanza Norte Province, the secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Jâneo Correia Victor said Wednesday in Ndalatando City.
The re-launch of the iron exploration is expected to take place at the end of the prospecting studies that began early this year, whose aim is to determine the mining potential for concession to companies.
Correia Victor disclosed the information to the press during a workshop with mining operators.
Prospecting will be carried out by British company Capital Mining, which already has the equipment in the area, located in Caxissa, Dange ya-Menha municipality, 40 kilometers away from Ndalatando City.
According to the company's technician, Pedro Sebastião, the activities planned for the reactivation of the mine include metallurgical tests, an economic and environmental impact studies, geological information and training of staff.
Sebastião added that the mine has to date around 70 extraction holes, with a depth of 16 to 200 metres.
The secretary of State explained that reactivation of Kassala-Kitungo aims to boost the supply of iron ore on the national market, promote an increase in public revenues and improve job opportunities, particularly for young people.
The Kassala-Kitungo mines, which cover 7,000 square metres, were once exploited in the colonial period.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, according to the secretary of State, is committed to strengthening policies for exploration of mineral resources and will take measures against companies that fail to comply with the rules of the activity.
During the training session an updated geological study of Cuanza Norte Province was presented, which established the existence, on a large scale, of iron, copper and manganese reserves, mainly in the municipalities of Ambaca and Cambambe.
The participants advocated the adoption of a new model for supervision and granting of mining licences, since a large number of the 13 agents operating in the province operate with expired licences.
It was noted that most of the companies do not have environmental impact studies, an exploration plan, protection equipment and licences posted at the entrance to the mines.
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