Huambo - Angolan minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo Monday denied rumours about the possible start of exploration of the mineral reserve in the municipality of Longonjo, central Huambo province, known as “Rare Lands”.
The minister was speaking to the press, shortly after the inauguration of the recently rehabilitated school complex number 49, in the commune of Lepi, municipality of Longonjo, in Huambo.
With 23 billion tons of raw ore, the mineral reserve of the municipality of Longonjo “rare earths”, is mainly made up of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), currently explored by less than five countries.
These mines, among other metals existing on site, are used as raw material for the manufacture of ultra-strong and lightweight permanent magnets, for final use in electric vehicles, wind turbines, modern electronics such as cell phones, used in new technologies in China.
The minister considered false the information alleging the start of exploration work in the locality, also known as 21st century gold.
The project is being implemented through the society of Ozango Minerais S.A partnership, which has already opened in the site 369 holes, in an area of more than eight thousand meters of drilling.
The minister said that prospecting work had been taking place since 2018, in the hope of successful completion in order to create a mining area.
