The Mozambican government is preparing to open up new blocks in the Rovuma basin in the north of the country, which will be offered under concession to companies interested in prospecting for hydrocarbons, said Mozambique’s Mining Resources Minister, Esperança Bias.

The minister also said that the government was checking if areas were still available in Tete province to grant coal surveying licenses.

According to Bias, cited by Mozambican news agency AIM, these moves are intended to respond to increasing interest from foreign companies in exploring mining resources in Mozambique.

In both cases the Mozambican government plans to grant concessions and licenses via an international public tender.

In relation to Niassa province, which is reported to have large amounts of coal, Bias said that some companies that were granted licenses have concluded the first phase of prospecting work, and the result of this work is due to be published at the beginning of 2013. (macauhub)