Mozambique Mining Industry: Coal prospecting in Mozambique’s mid-Zambeze reserved for national companies

The Mozambican government plans to hold a public tender reserved for national companies seeking mining titles for coal prospecting and geological research in the mid-Zambeze basin in Tete province, the Ministry of Mining Resources announced.

The official statement indicates that the licences for prospecting and geological research will be granted to eligible national individuals and companies who submit the best proposals.

The document does not indicate the tender deadlines but does specify that it concerns 12 blocs situated in the Marávia, Zumbo and Changara districts of Tete province and the Guro district in Manica province.

Coal exploitation is currently concentrated in the Zambeze’s sedimentary basin, specifically in the Moatize district where the existence of huge reserves of metallurgical coal has been proven.

Companies such as Vale, Rio Tinto, Jindal Africa and Minas de Moatize are active at a time when the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), Ncondezi Coal Company and Minas Revobué are also planning to start operations.

The Maputo-based daily Notícias reports that the government aims to reserve the tenders for Mozambicans in an attempt to ensure direct advantages for national enterprises in the exploitation of national mineral resources.

Available figures indicate that Mozambican authorities have issued until present more than 110 licences to operate mines in Tete province to 45 national and foreign companies, though the participation of Mozambicans in these projects remains very low. (macauhub/MZ)