Africa-Press – Mozambique. Minister Estêvão Pale defended the efficient management of mineral and energy resources, advocating a timely review of legislation in this area to position Mozambique as a leader in the sector.
The Minister said that a survey of areas considered “idle” in the mineral and energy resources sector but with “high potential” is underway.
The Mozambican government announced on Monday that it will impose rules on the use of mineral and energy resources, noting that these should benefit the country, and expressed interest in “freeing up” for exploitation those [concessioned] areas considered “idle”.
“At this moment, there is no doubt for any Mozambican that Mozambique has resources of global importance and that the time has come to impose rules on their use, so that there is greater benefit to the country, to Mozambicans and their communities.” said Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estêvão Pale.
Pale was speaking at the opening of a staff retreat in Ponta d’Ouro, Maputo province, southern Mozambique.
On the occasion, the Minister stressed that it was time for mineral and energy resources to be managed efficiently to tangibly benefit Mozambicans, advocating a specific review of legislation in this area to position Mozambique as a leader in the sector in the region and in the world.
Estêvão Pale also advocated a review of legislation which would allow, for example, defining minerals that can be exploited by nationals and foreigners, ensuring the transfer of technology to Mozambican companies and guaranteeing transparency in the licensing of exploitation companies, with the aim of increasing State revenue.
The Minister said that a survey of areas in the mineral and energy resources sector considered “idle” and with “high potential” was already underway, adding that there are investors interested in exploiting.
“There are potential investors interested in investing in areas that are currently idle and our position is to see if we effectively free up these areas or that the current holders of areas start working so that they can generate investment and opportunities and revenue for the country,” the Minister said.
Mozambique has around 3,000 exploration licenses in the areas of mineral and energy resources, according to updated government data.
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