Mozambique and Angola are to strengthen their cooperation in the mining sector. This is the overarching outcome of the recent visit by Mozambique Mines and Mineral Resources Minister Esperança Bias to Angola. The visit was at the invitation of Angolan Geology and Mines Minister Francisco Queiroz.

The more particular outcomes of the visit were the signings of three bilateral memoranda between government agencies and State-owned companies in the two countries. These comprise one memorandum of understanding (MoU) and two memoranda of intentions (MoIs). The MoU is between the Empresa Naçional de Ferros de Angola (National Iron Company of Angola) and the Empresa de Exploração Mineira de Moçambique (EMM –the Minerals Exploration Company of Mozambique). One MoI is between the Geological Institute of Angola and the Geological and Mining Institute of Mozambique. The other MoI links the Empresa Naçional de Diamantes de Angola (National Diamonds Company of Angola, better known as Endiama) and EMM. “The companies are going to seek, starting from now, to materialise what was agreed at the political level,” remarked Queiroz.

The two countries have expertise and experience in different sectors of the mining industry and each is eager to learn from the other. In the case of Mozambique, it wants to learn from Angola’s experience in diamond exploration and mining. Although the south-east African country currently does not mine the precious stones, Bias stated that it had great diamond poten- tial. Initial explorations were now starting. “We believe that the experi- ence of Angola will be worthwhile for our country,” she said. Queiroz stated that his country was willing to send experts to Mozambique to work there and transfer their skills and knowledge.

Further, because Mozambique is optimistic about finding diamonds, the country wished to join the Kimberley Process. (This is intended to prevent conflict diamonds – mined by rebel groups to fund their operations – from reaching world markets.) Maputo was seeking the support of Luanda in this endeavour. “We will work until Mozambique becomes an effective [full] member,” assured Queiroz. “We hope very much that this will take place during the period of our presidency [of the Process] in 2015.”

In addition, some 30 Mozam-bicans are currently attending courses in mining engineering, petroleum geology, gas and petroleum ‘processing’ and drilling in Angola. (Bias also met with Angolan Petroleum Minister Botelho de Vasconcelos during her visit.)

In its turn, Angola is interested in Mozambique’s experience in geological surveying and mapping and in the production of minerals other than oil, gas and diamonds. In her comments to the media in Angola, Bias pointed out that her country now had four operating coal mines, which should increase to eight over the next two to three years, and had been mining heavy mineral sands since 2007 and that exploration was under way for other minerals.

“We are firmly rooted in petroleum and diamonds, but we have much more,” noted Queiroz. “We want to explore these resources and diversify to obtain more tax revenues, [create] jobs, improve the quality of life of the population and improve stability from a financial point of view.”

“Angola is now doing geological mapping; Mozambique has done the first phase [of the mapping] and, with the foundation of this work, we established the mining cadastre, and today the country is attracting many companies to explore for various resources,” reported Bias. “We are ready to work with Angola to transfer our experience at this moment when that country is doing its own mapping.”

After her meeting with Angola’s Petroleum Minister, Bias emphasised that her country was open to investments by Angolan companies. After his meeting with Bias, Queiroz invited Mozambican investment into the Angolan mining sector.