The revival of the mining industry is on.Several major...

The revival of the mining industry is on.

Several major international mining companies have responded to the call for tenders launched in April by Togo to the operation of the phosphate-carbonate.

"We have received unsolicited offers from European companies, American, African, Australian and Indian," says the Minister of Energy and Mines, Dammipi Noupokou (photo).

Republicoftogo.com: What is the tender of phosphates?

Dammipi Noupokou: In accordance with the recovery strategy of the phosphate sector adopted by the Government in 2010, the Togolese government has launched a tender for the licensing for the exploitation of phosphate carbonate. And indeed, the interest was strong from many international players in the mining sector.

Republicoftogo.com: Rumors say that the tender was a legal screen to assign licenses over the counter, including an Australian group. What?

Dammipi Noupokou: There was never any negotiations or discussions between a particular group pretenders to the operating license of phosphate. The best company to meet the requirements defined in the specifications will be retained by the experts required by the government in this regard.

Republicotogo.com: Regarding the recovery of the phosphate sector, it is already bearing fruit?

Dammipi Noupokou: We've completed more than 80% implementation of the actions listed in the first phase of this strategy with the rehabilitation of certain means of production and reception of new equipment ordered.
Other commands are being delivered. The order remains the largest acquisition of two-wheel excavators to be commissioned by the end of 1 half of 2012.
The manufacture of these devices has taken almost two years. In addition, certain shares of the second and third phase are also already underway. These include, the process ded'identification investors for the exploitation of phosphate and carbonate build phosphoric acid plant or fertilizer.
Internally, the general direction of the SNPT recent months has triggered the modernization of governance within the company. Of course, there still note some difficulties.
In view of the actions, we hope to achieve an average production of 1.5 million tonnes by 2 years.

Republicoftogo.com: Yet it is not clear that this objective.

Dammipi Noupokou: Indeed, implementation has faced difficulties.
In terms of funding, it was thought initially to finance this strategy from external financial support. The funding that was found was not concessional and was too expensive. In the end, we decided to do it with our own resources, that is to say, those generated by the sale of phosphate by the SNPT.
Technically, the mine headquarters north came to an end soon. Mine Kpogam? is becoming deeper. We must remove more than 40 m of land to achieve sterile phosphate. I recall that several years ago, this was the 5-7 meters of barren land just to reach the phosphate.
In order to produce 1.5 million tons and more, we are obliged to open a new mine, that of Dagbati with all the technical constraints that this induces.
The work is open to this day very advanced. With the arrival of new wheeled excavators and wheel loaders rehabilitation of existing, we are confident that the delay to reach the original target will only be short-lived.

Republicoftogo.com: The local residents also want to take advantage of income phosphate. What is the government?

Dammipi Noupokou: Since 2008, we initiated work in the communities in mining areas of Vogan, Hahoto?, Akoumap?, Anfoin, Kp?m? and others for several million FCFA.
Furthermore, in order to include contributions from mining companies in a standard, a bill to mining companies contribution to the development of mining areas has been reviewed and approved by MPs last April.
Meanwhile, since 2009, the government has taken steps to Togo's accession to the EITI, a mechanism that not only promotes good governance in the extractive industries, but also the improvement of living conditions of populations these areas a priority.
Finally, I can assure you that the regulations are awaiting signature for the establishment of mechanism to regulate the conditions of interventions SNPT and other mining companies operating in the area to improve the living conditions of populations; investments are ongoing, a national call for tenders was recently launched for electrification and grid extension in the area, particularly in communities Dagbati, NYIT, Akoumap?, and Hahoto? Agbodjrafo.

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