Just in: Government greenlights Chongoene port | Mozambique

2:42 CAT|26 Apr 2023

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FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Lusa]

Mozambique’s government has authorised the construction of a new port terminal in the south of the country to transport heavy sands exploited by a Chinese company, according to the final statement from Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

At the Council of Ministers meeting, direct award was authorised for a company established by Chinese firm Desheng Port and Mozambican Ports and Railways (CFM) to build and operate a concession for the port terminal, which will be located in Gaza province.

In the process, the Mozambican government will be the “port conceder”.

READ: Minister at Chibuto mine as port decision looms, visits Chongoene airport | Mozambique

The project to build the Chongoene port was announced in August 2022, funded by Chinese company Dingsheng Minerals, which has been mining heavy sands in Chibuto, a neighbouring district, since 2018.

The mining concession to Dingsheng Minerals runs for 25 years and the company is expected to extract one million tons of ilmenite (titanium and iron oxide) annually, in addition to heavy sands.

“They need an area that facilitates access to the sea and they are going to invest in Chongoene,” Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane explained at the time.

READ: Mozambique: More than 25,000 tons of titanium ore stuck in Chibuto

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Heavy sands are minerals used in paints, plastics and ceramics.

China is one of the main export destinations of other mines of the same type, owned by firm

If RBR get this right it may snowball from here,

he Chonguene district, in Gaza province, will have a new port, announced the prime minister of Mozambique, Adriano Maleiane, on the 27^thof August. The construction of the port of Chonguene will be financed by the Chinese company Ding Sheng Minerals.

Ding Sheng Minerals has been operating in the Chibuto district since 2018, the year in which the company installed a platform capable of processing 10,000 tons of sand daily. To facilitate the export of mining production, Ding Sheng Minerals decided to invest in the Chonguene District, which is close to the Chibuto District. Adriano Maleiane reveled that the Chinese capital company is waiting for the approval of the environmental impact studies before beginning work.

The concession to Ding Sheng has a term of 25 years, and the company is expected to extract one million tons of ilmenite (titanium and iron oxide) annually, in addition to heavy sands.

Chinese company to build a port in Mozambique Africa’s largest trade partner has become known for its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects on the continent, such as railways and ports. But for years it has also been building grand new parliaments and other government buildings, which cost less but are equally part of Beijing's diplomatic push in the region.