Luanda - The first manganese mine in Angola, located partially between the provinces of Cuanza Norte and Malanje (Katota), is due to start operating next April, Minister for Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo has announced.
The Cabinet minister said this, Friday in Luanda, during the Forum on "Business Opportunities in Angola in the area of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas," addressed to the heads of diplomatic missions in the country.
"In April we will inaugurate a manganese mine, which is partially located between the provinces of Malanje and Cuanza Norte, as a result of the first public tender for the award of mining rights," said the head of Angola's mining sector.
Manganese is used in manufacturing special steels, as it improves forging properties, rigidity and resistance to wear and tear.
In relation to recently held public tenders, he said that the respective licences had already been negotiated and granted for a phosphate project in Cacato, in Cabinda, whilst others for phosphate exploration, in Zaire province, were also being negotiated.
Diamantino Azevedo also said talks were underway for iron exploration in Cuanza Norte, as well as other projects to prospect for rare earths, niobium and gold, at a time when Australian companies are prospecting in the emblematic Casinga project, in Huila.
