Watch: Nyusi re-inaugurates Ancuabe graphite mine – AIM

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Watch: Nyusi re-inaugurates Ancuabe graphite mine – AIM

6:19 CAT | 28 Jun 2017

Mhoje_mozflagsstartribune_photo_jpg-825x510

File photo

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday re-inaugurated a graphite mine in Ancuabe district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, which had been paralysed for the previous 18 years.

The mine was reopened thanks to an investment of 12 million euros (about 13.6 million US dollars) obtained from German banks. The shareholders are the German company AMG Graphit Kropfmuehl (a subsidiary of the Dutch AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group), and the Mozambican Mining Company (EMEM).

The mine also has a graphite processing plant, with the capacity to process 9,000 tonnes of graphite a year. It currently employs 100 workers.

“The mining of graphite is back through concrete acts and this is one of them”, said Nyusi at the inauguration ceremony. “The return to activity of this mine, which was closed for several years, expresses the government’s commitment to create a business environment appropriate for the private sector”.

He saw the mine as an example of how private investment can contribute to implementing the government’s agenda of promoting integrated, inclusive and sustainable development.

“This company is putting into practice the Mozambican government’s vision of the sustainable exploitation of the country’s mineral resources, ensuring that future generations can also benefit from these resources”, said Nyusi.

He added that the government will continue to combat illegal mining, and organise artisanal miners so that they can enjoy access to minerals in a legal and structured manner.

Nyusi promised that his government will strengthen the capacity of the State to draw up a full inventory of Mozambique’s mineral potential in order to ensure that it can be effectively controlled. The geological mapping and research undertaken after independence has already shown that Mozambican “contains enormous quantities of mineral and energy resources, such as coal, natural gas, precious stones, rubies, and graphite among others”, he said.