Cuanza-Norte: The Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, warned provincial governments on Tuesday to refrain from issuing opinions on geological exploration, stating that this responsibility belongs exclusively to the Ministry and sector regulators.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the measure is driven by the complexity and high costs associated with geological exploration, which require intervention from specialized and internationally accredited bodies. This announcement came after a meeting with the Government of the Province of Cuanza-Norte, where local geological potential was discussed.
Azevedo highlighted the high risks involved in prospecting activities, noting that investments often result in failure, particularly in hydrocarbon exploration projects that encounter dry wells. He emphasized the need for reinforced public policies compelling mining operators to invest more in social impact initiatives in their operational areas.
Governor João Diogo Gaspar of Cuanza-
Norte described the province as having significant mineral potential, including resources such as gold, diamonds, manganese, marble, and others. Gaspar reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry to develop strategies for mineral resource exploration by attracting private investment.
The governor expressed optimism that private investment would catalyze the province’s socio-economic development, benefiting the local population. The meeting also focused on existing licenses, resource exploration rights, and strategies to combat illegal exploitation.
The discussions aimed to further analyze and promote Cuanza-Norte’s resources, with the goal of stratifying them effectively and attracting investors to the geological and mining sector. Cuanza-Norte, located in the extreme west of Angola, is known for its vast unexplored geological and mining potential.