Maputo: The Provincial Director of Mineral Resources and Energy in Mozambique’s Southern province of Gaza, Castro Elias says his department has awarded diamond mining license to 20 local and foreign firms after the mineral was discovered last year, APA can report on Tuesday. The official says that Mozambique has approved a set of legal instruments which will enter into force on 20 November this year in support of the country’s Kimberley Process application.
“For the export of diamonds, the country should be part of the Timberley group. Unfortunately, our country is not yet part of this group,” Elias is quoted as saying by state-controlled radio Mozambique on Tuesday.
He added that Gaza province may register many applications for permits to prospect for this mineral after confirmation of the occurrence of diamonds in Massangena, in a prospecting and research work conducted in 2014 and 2015 by a consortium of a Mozambican firm.
“Mozambique is a country rich in almost all types of mineral resources including diamonds, but unfortunately we have not been lucky to make a thorough study and start exploration yet. There are, however, companies doing research in Massagena and this has resulted in the discovery of diamonds,” he said.
Elias underlined that there is greater optimism regarding the continuity of investment, as investors continue to pay the annual tax on the surface, a tax liability, ensures the maintenance of the license.
The provinces of Niassa, Tete, Manica, Zambezia, Sofala, Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo are identified as those hosting diamonds research and prospecting projects, with the whole of the Save valley believed to be prone to the occurrence of diamonds.
Elias stressed the importance of adherence to the Kimberley process, without which diamonds cannot be sold legally, no matter how large a quantity the country has.
The Kimberley Process seeks to end trade in conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, which are used by rebel groups to finance wars against legitimate governments.
