First stone laid in Angola to commence the Tetelo Mine project
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, officially laid the first stone for the construction of the Tetelo mine, for copper and gold exploration, in the town of Mavoio, municipality of Maquela do Zombo, in Uíge province on Thursday.
The mine will be constructed in an area of 4 square kilometers over a period of 27 months, with a total cost of 205 million US dollars to the State.
The first phase of production is expected to begin by the end of next year, with an estimated minimum annual production of around 300,000 tons.
The Tetelo mine is an open pit mine, with initial reserves estimated for a period of 3 years. However, it has the potential for extension up to 10 years as new resources are discovered.
Diamantino Azevedo mentioned that the project has made significant progress, going through the stages of research, prospecting, and analysis, while adhering to international standards for mining exploration.
“We hope for the successful and timely completion of this project because it presents an opportunity for the country to have its first copper mine, which will bring job opportunities and development to the province of Uíge,” he stated.
During the initial phase, the project will create 210 direct jobs, and this number is expected to reach a maximum of 1,000 jobs at its peak.
Diamantino Azevedo assured that the Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Provincial Government of Uíge will closely monitor the project’s development and provide necessary support for its success. He also advised the traditional authorities of the region to support the project promoters and not create any hindrances.
Governor José Carvalho da Rocha of Uíge mentioned that this project represents a significant investment that will provide job opportunities and contribute to the overall development of the province. It lays the foundation for progress and local development in the region.
