Africa-Press – Eswatini. Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela has officially launched phase two of the multidisciplinary project whose outcome will be an up to date mineral inventory of the country.
This was at Matsapha Airport yesterday.
Phase two of this project that began in 2021 will see the mining inventory being conducted in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions and is expected to be concluded in six months’ time.
Phase two will begin in two weeks.
Phase one covered the Hhohho and Manzini regions, where it was discovered that four minerals were in these regions.
These minerals are gold, iron ore, diamond and copper-nickel-platinum group elements. The minister said it was projected that the updated mineral inventory would stir investment in the mining industry.
“This will ensure the much needed excellence in data and geo scientific information dissemination to potential mining investors.
“Most importantly, the ultimate objective is to attract Emaswati into the mining sector and foreign direct investment and also create jobs,” he said.
Prince Lonkhokhela encouraged Emaswati to take the lead in taking up space in the mining industry so that Emaswati benefit more than foreign investors.
“Emaswati must take the lead in mining and not be left behind. This does not close off the opportunity for foreign investors but this is to encourage Emaswati that this is their country and therefore they must not be left lagging. They can create partnerships with foreigners, partnerships that Emaswati will benefit from,” he said.
Government has engaged the services of a South African company Geoscience to conduct this survey.
“The country has faith in the council for geoscience (CGS) because of their experience in driving the mining sector in the Republic of South Africa.
The ministry believes that this project will also build capacity of geoscientists in order for the country to benefit in the exploration and exploitation of the mineral resources,” he said.
The minister asked Emaswati not to form conspiracy theories over the helicopter that will be conducting the survey.
“The nation and all chiefs are asked not to worry when the project has started, especially since it will be over a long time and will be flying at low altitude,” he said.
The distance to be travelled by the helicopter is estimated to be as long as travelling from Cape Town to Egypt (7 242 kilometres).
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