Maputo, Mozambique, 23 July – The Mozambican government has ordered detailed geological surveys of the country’s mining resources from a Chinese group, the country’s Mining Resources minister said Thursday in Maputo.

According to daily newspaper Notícias, Esperança Bias said that the surveys would initially cover some areas of the provinces of Tete and Niassa.

According to the minister the aim of the surveys is to gain in-depth knowledge of each area in terms of mining resources, in order to correctly promote opportunities.

Speaking at the end of a meeting of the Chinese group with Prime Minister Aires Ali, Bias said that there were already technical teams carrying out a preliminary analysis of existing geological data, which will be followed by setting dates for work on the ground.

Asked about the cost of this surveying work, Bias explained that investments were variable, based on the data gathered.

In his turn, the chairman of the Chinese group said that as well as the mining sector his group was also interested in agriculture, infrastructures, energy, amongst other areas in which Mozambique has a competitive advantage.

There are currently some Chinese companies in Mozambique prospecting and surveying for mining products, notably base metals, in Zambézia province. (macauhub)