The government of Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, revealed on Wednesday 27 September that it has several projects valued at more than 1.3 billion dollars in the areas of exploration and production of graphite, rubies and other gems in that part of the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 8th Mozambique Gas & Energy Summit & Exhibition 2023, the governor of Cabo Delgado, Valige Tauabo, said that the province is currently a centre for the production of raw materials and the development of transitional energy sources, and that in addition to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), there are extensive mineral resource plants to be concessioned.
According to the leader, the province has favourable factors for the arrival of investors, as well as good growth prospects and high rates of investment with more than 30 million dollars underway in the hydrocarbon industry.
“All the conditions for a return on investment are guaranteed, especially those related to oil and gas exploration in the Rovuma basin. We are witnessing moments of tranquillity marked by the massive and voluntary return of the population and the local economy. We are prepared for the stabilisation of gas exploration projects, graphite production and the expansion of solar energy,” he said.
However, for the activities to succeed, Valige Tauabo urged the adoption of measures to reduce the intensity and frequency of the extreme events underway, as well as the development of a sustainable and inclusive system.
The province of Cabo Delgado has been affected by a conflict since 2017 that has terrorised the population. Groups of armed rebels have pillaged and massacred villages and towns throughout the province and a variety of attacks have been claimed by the ‘arm’ of the self-proclaimed Islamic State in that region. The conflict has already caused more than 4,000 deaths (data from The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) and at least one million displaced people, according to an assessment made by the Mozambican authorities.
Taking place over two days (27 and 28 September) in Maputo, the 8th Mozambique Gas & Energy Summit & Exhibition 2023 has the theme “Developing Mozambique’s Integrated Sustainable Energy System” and will be attended by national and international leaders, who will debate various issues related to the current situation and the future of the energy industry.
