Africa-Press – Angola. The head of the Provincial Department of Mineral Resources in Benguela, Hungo Cassoma, admits the possibility of starting, for the first time, gold exploration in the region, as prospecting studies point to the existence of this ore.
The Exhibition Fair of Minerals explored and processed in Benguela, which ended this Saturday, in the outdoor space of the National Archeology Museum, in allusion to April 27th, Mining Workers’ Day.
According to Hungo Cassoma, some licensed national companies have been involved, for some time now, in gold research work, especially in the north of the province of Benguela.
“Prospecting began more than a year ago and I believe we are already at the end of the work, the results of which will be known soon”, he added, confirming that Balombo is one of the municipalities where ore drilling is taking place.
For him, as there is gold in the province of Benguela, prospecting studies aim to assess the economic viability of implementing possible ore extraction projects.
The head of the aforementioned department, assigned to the Provincial Office for Integrated Economic Development, predicts that the results obtained in the prospecting phase will open up good prospects for the start of gold extraction in Benguela.
Without giving further details, Hungo Cassoma assures that, at the moment, mineral prospecting work is already at an advanced stage.
“But, with absolute guarantees of the existence of gold in the province of Benguela”, he assumed.
Business bankruptcy
On the other hand, it reports the bankruptcy of 13 companies in the mineral exploration sector due to the economic and financial crisis affecting the country.
“The situation meant that of the 27 exploration companies we already had, 13 closed down, because of spare parts”, he noted.
Currently, he made it known that the province of Benguela has only 14 active companies that are working in the exploration of minerals and rocks.
To these, there are six others that are dedicated to transforming these resources exploited in the region, as he explained.
With 15 companies present, the Exhibition Fair for Minerals explored and processed in Benguela kicked off on April 25th and is a promotion by the Provincial Office for Integrated Economic Development (GPDEI), in partnership with sector agents.
The event is to publicize to the interested public some minerals explored locally, such as quartz, ornamental granite, dolomitic limestone and gypsum.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
