If the exploration studies launched last October continue, the Minister of Water and Forests, Pr Lee White, who recently accompanied his colleague from the Mines on the deposit announced for the months of May or June 2023 the start of the exploitation actual iron from Belinga initially scheduled in about three years.
Officially launched on October 16 in Makokou, the exploration phase on the Belinga iron deposit continues. "In the studies that we are currently doing, we are in the process of confirming and going further on the old data in order to be able to plan the exploitation of this mine", explained Professor Lee White who returned to the scene last week. with Minister of Mines Elvis Ossindji.
While these studies are initially planned to last at least three years, according to the estimate made when they were launched, the Minister of Water and Forests seemed to bring the deadline forward. “Production will begin in May-June. Really, it is a project to exploit this wealth”, he confided to our colleagues from Gabon 1st in a document broadcast on January 17, 2023, on the 8 p.m. news. To do this, the Gabonese state and its partner Fortescue plan to go faster. "In the coming weeks, we will enter a phase of studies for the purpose of knowledge of the soil to be able to identify and map the reserves of this project", informed the Minister of Mines.
If he confirmed the creation of several hundred direct jobs as part of the materialization of the said project, Pr Lee White also reassured about the respect of the environmental obligations of the operators. “We will make an environmental and social management plan so as to put the environment and man on an equal footing every time,” promised the member of the government.
By Griffin Ondo Nzuey
Source : https://www.gabonreview.com
Gabon Review (GABON)
