The government announced this Tuesday (9) that an area of port jurisdiction has already been created and granted in the district of Chongoene, in the province of Gaza, southern Mozambique, with the aim of opening up space for the implementation, construction and management of infrastructures for the transport of heavy sands that are being exploited in Chibuto.
Speaking after the 20th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, government spokesman Filimão Suaze explained that the area also aims to allow the Chongoene Port Terminal project to function, as well as facilitating the planning and integration of future terminals.
“The creation of the area will allow for more operational space and port services, respecting social, environmental, legal and economic aspects,” said the official, quoted by Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM).
Suaze emphasised that, at the same meeting, the Executive approved the concession of the Chongoene Port Terminal infrastructures to Sociedade Terminal de Minérios de Chongoene, SA, made up of the Chinese mining company Desheng Port, S.A., and the public company Portos e Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique (CFM).
“The concession, under a public-private partnership, will allow Desheng Port to build, operate, maintain, manage and eventually return the infrastructure to the government, which is why an investment of 55 million dollars was granted in the first phase,” he said.
In February, the Chinese mining company revealed that the first shipment of heavy sands by sea could take place in August this year, as construction work on the Chongoene dock, the infrastructure that will be used to moor the vessels, is due to be completed soon.
The project manager, You Jian Ping, explained that the work is progressing at a satisfactory pace, adding that all disagreements with the communities have already been resolved.
“The work is divided into three phases, the first of which will be completed by next August, during which time the export of Chibuto’s heavy sands from that maritime infrastructure to various countries can begin,” he said at the time.
