JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) –The Tanzanian government has given dual-listed Kibo Mining renewed confidence in the government’s support for the coal miner’s Mbeya coal-to-power project, following a meeting between Tanzanian Energy and Minerals Minister Professor Sospeter Muhongo and Kibo CEO Louis Coetzee.
The meeting, which took place last week, updated the Minister on the project’s progress and was considered pivotal in the ongoing development of the Mbeya project.
“As progress on the overall feasibility work for the project continues at pace, it is highly encouraging to receive continued support from the Tanzanian government,” said Coetzee.
Muhongo reiterated Tanzania's urgent requirement for a reliable supply of baseload power. Emphasising that power was at the heart of realising a stable economy, he said that government had to work in close cooperation with these type of projects to meet the nation's 2025 goal of establishing a middle-class society.
He urged Kibo to fast-track the project, which represented a significant power opportunity for Tanzania. “Support from the government is key to achieving our ambitious timescale, with the first phase of production scheduled for 2019,” said Coetzee.