The project is being undertaken by the company Telhabel and, according to a statement from the provincial government of Namibe, which VerAngola had access to, the implementation of the hub aims to "foster the local economy, enhance natural resources and attract more investors from the mining sector to Namibe, as well as guarantee integrated regional development".
The provincial government states that the structure will be built "from scratch in the municipality of Saco-mar by the company Telhabel, in an area of approximately 100 hectares".
"The industrial unit, which will generate 400 jobs, will include a centre for the valorisation of ornamental rocks, which will allow the technological assessment and certification of mineral resources; a training centre to qualify young people and equip them with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the industry; a clinic specialising in the treatment of occupational diseases, ensuring better health and safety conditions for workers; and a dry port that will facilitate the efficient movement of products and inputs", the statement reads.
On the occasion, Archer Mangueira said that the project will highlight "the geological and mining potential of Namibe, benefiting from the connectivity provided by the Southern Corridor, which includes the Moçâmedes Railway, the Namibe Sea Port, the Sacomar Mining Port and the EN280 National Road".
Quoted in the note, the governor of Namibe also said that the "set of strategic routes guarantees an efficient connection between mining production, industrial units and export markets, reinforcing Namibe's position as a leading logistics and economic hub in southern Angola".
In turn, the Secretary of State said that the project is part of the National Development Plan (2023–2027).
"This initiative reflects our determination to promote sustainable development and enhance the value of our country's mineral resources", said Jânio Corrêa Victor, quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, to which VerAngola had access.
According to the Secretary of State, the project will provide "significant benefits for the country, contributing to the economic growth of the region and improving the quality of life of its citizens".
According to the ministry, this project is an initiative of the ministry, with the aim of "concentrating companies focused on this segment in a single space, which will offer an infrastructure that will reduce the costs for investors in this business in Angola".
"The hub will be a place where service and logistics conditions will be created for companies operating in the mining sector, through the construction of ornamental rock processing plants and the provision of support structures, such as the valorization center for this product, a training center for workforce preparation, dry port, among other services", said the Secretary of State, quoted by Angop.
According to Angop, the hub, which has an execution period of two years and seven months, will require a state investment of around 1.6 million dollars.
