Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s National Petroleum Institute (INP) will in November launch the sixth bidding round for the concession of areas for oil and gas research and production in the country, with 16 areas identified for the purpose.
Five of these areas are located in the maritime part of the Rovuma Basin; seven in Angoche; two in the Zambezi Delta; and two in Save.
The INP hopes the sixth licensing round will ensure the availability of petroleum as raw material for purposes such as the production of electricity, fertilisers and fuels.
INP data that ‘Notícias’ has had access to indicate that the process starts with the launch of the licensing round, followed by the registration, pre-qualification, closing, evaluation of the proposals and, finally, the announcement of the results in March, 2022.
The launch of the sixth competitive round was also debated at the VI Coordinating Council of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), which ended on Tuesday in the city of Pemba, Cabo Delgado.
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Max Tonela, there explained that the tender would also facilitate the implementation of the government’s 2019-2024 Five-Year Plan.
“For the interested parties, the evaluation criteria involve not only having proven technical capacity and financial strength, but also the bidding companies’ health, safety and environmental policy, in addition to competence in training personnel and favouring the participation of national companies and services in the projects,” he said.
On the same occasion, the minister announced that, despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19, the gas project in Rovuma Basin Area 4 remained on schedule of activities, with operations expected to start in 2022.
The Coordinating Council also raised the possibility of restructuring the National Institute of Mines (INAMI), as well as the improvement of mining legislation by simplifying procedures, strengthening the regulator’s ability to intervene in situations of non-compliance and ensuring greater transparency in the awarding of mining titles.
Mozambique’s formal adhesion to the Kimberley process this year was also discussed, Minister Tonela noting that it would promote greater investment in the diamond industry.
By
Amandio Roberto Macuacua
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