"We are planning to start exploration work in April next year, but we may have unforeseen events such as the populations residing in the area, as we are finishing the eviction phase, but there is another one and we may encounter impediments, as well as rain which could further delay the process", said the person responsible, in statements, cited by Angop, as part of an observation visit by Jânio Correia Victor, Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, to the field.
Regarding the progress of the project, the person in charge made it known that factories are currently being built, with a temporary construction site, a two million liter diesel tank, two warehouses, as well as the opening of roads with earthworks having already been completed, writes Angop.
According to Grande Zé, the construction of a new shipyard is also planned by March of next year.
According to the person in charge, cited by Angop, the company has an exploration title covering a perimeter of 461 square kilometers, which will be occupied in phases due to the relocation of families who lived close to the project.
In this sense, the company has already built more than fifty social housing units – a total of 54 – with a view to rehousing. However, those targeted preferred compensation, with the government and local administration negotiating with the company to provide the same. According to the Municipal Administration of Quilengues, in a statement to which VerAngola had access, the families in question "have already started to be compensated and evicted to safer areas, taking into account the risks that the exploitation process entails".
Grande Zé, cited by Angop, also said that, in addition to niobium, they will also be able to explore minerals such as iron, aluminum and apatite, which are related to the rare mineral, having already undergone a prospecting procedure.
Among other aspects, the person in charge also demonstrated their desire to "have the factory working and be able to bring development" to the municipality and the province. "We want to have the factory working and be able to bring development to both the municipality and the province," he said, quoted by Angop.
"We have a project to create an industrial hub, because the factories we are implementing will serve as an initial treatment for separating iron and niobium, which appear in the process together", he added.
According to a statement from the Municipal Administration of Quilengues, so far the project has generated "more than 600 direct jobs for local young people with the start of construction of factories, warehouses, water retention dams and social houses".
The secretary's visit took place last Wednesday. On the occasion, Jânio Correia Victor, who was accompanied by technicians from the ministry, members of the Government of Huíla and the Municipal Administration of Quilengues, left "recommendations so that the company does not fail to comply with social and environmental protection obligations".
Remember that in 2020 it was announced that the Chinese company was investing 100 million dollars to start niobium exploration in Huíla.
