Maputo, Mozambique, 23 Feb – The Mozambican Ministry for Mining Resources is carrying out feasibility studies to reopen a number of old mines in the central province of Manica, said Salazar Mangumo, of the National Mining Directorate.

Cited by the Mozambican press, Mangumo said that the old mines included Dot’s Luck, Andrade, Guy Fawkes, Fair Bride and Boa Esperança and that the studies, which are part of the country’s geological and mining policy, will end with a reassessment of the potential of the Mundongura copper mine and the Monarch gold mine, also in Manica.

Mangumo also said that surveying of heavy sands was underway in Xai-Xai, Chingoene, Dongane in Gaza province, and Ravene in Inhambane province, which includes a reassessment of the heavy sands at Moebase.

Mozambique is one of the African countries with greatest potential for mining resources, which include coal, natural gas, gold, titanium, and metallic minerals, amongst others.

In terms of base and precious metals, the results show significant levels associated to gold, copper, zinc, vanadium and silver in the areas of Balama (Cabo Delgado), Monapo and Murrupula (Nampula), Chíduè and Fíngoè (Tete) in the country’s northern and central regions.

The results of prospecting and research carried out in Moatize, Changara, Mutarara and Marávia, in Tete province, and Lago in Niassa, showed a high potential for coal and it is expected that some of these areas will move on to the economic feasibility study phase over the next three years. (macauhub)