The Chinese company Dingsheng Minerals, responsible for the exploitation of heavy sands in Chibuto, Gaza province, is due to present tomorrow the timetable for the implementation of social responsibility projects related to the construction of the Port of Chongoene.
The agreement between the company and the local administration was reached after residents blocked the access road to the future port on January 8, protesting against the alleged failure to hire local labor, mainly young people, and the poor quality of the construction work for a water supply in the region, among other issues.
However, the Chongoene district administrator, Artur Macamo, denied the allegations that the company was not hiring local young people, pointing out that the number of applicants exceeds supply. He also acknowledged that many young people in the district don’t have the technical skills needed to work for the mining company.
Regarding the quality of the construction work on the water supply system, Macamo admitted that Dingsheng had started work without coordinating with the local authorities, resulting in errors in execution. He said that the Chongoene District Planning and Infrastructure Services are correcting the problem.
The Port of Chongoene is considered an alternative for reducing the costs of transporting iron ore for export and stimulating the region’s competitiveness. With an economic potential of more than 100 years, Chibuto’s heavy sands deposits are considered some of the largest in the world.The export of heavy sands from Chibuto could begin this semester, with the completion and start-up of the Chongoene dock, which will be used to moor vessels.The work, which totals more than US$ 300 million, is being financed by Dingcheng Minerais, SA, a Chinese company.The Chongoene dock, designed to receive vessels of up to five thousand tons, is being equipped with three cranes, two of which can handle 45 tons each, and a smaller one of 25 tons.Initially, 20,000 tons of cargo will be shipped daily, with the expectation that this will increase to 40,000 tons by 2025.In addition to heavy sands from Chibuto, the dock will also be used to export heavy sands from Chongoene and Mandlakazi, which are expected to be exploited soon.
The unloading and storage of the heavy sands should begin in December, after the completion of the infrastructure works, which include the construction of warehouses, dormitories, offices and the dock.
