The industrial extraction of gold in the administrative post of Nairoto, district of Montepuez, in Cabo Delgado, a project led by Mwiriti Lda., a company that had been researching this natural resource for several years.

According to Asghar Fakhir, administrator of Mwiriti Lda, everything is set for the start of production, pointing out that the government has already granted the intended area and the project is already at an advanced stage.

"It is expected that by the end of this year marketable quantities of that precious mineral will have already been produced," he said.

The source made it known that, for this purpose, a joint venture was formed, called Nairoto Resource Holding, made up of the companies Mwiriti Lda, a mining company from Mauritius, and Gemsfield - a unit that explores rubies in Namanhumbir, in the province of Cabo Delgado.

He added that gold production should have taken off several months ago, but has stalled because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Data provided by our source indicate that, for this purpose, 11 million dollars were initially invested by Mwiriti Ltd. and, at this moment, more than 30 million dollars are being mobilized by the consortium, and that, in the first phase, the project is employing a little more than 140 workers, mostly local youth.

Asghar Fakhir also made it known that to start production, the company needs to mobilize a little over $25 million, an amount that will be obtained by borrowing from the national bank or through multinationals with extensive experience in that type of business, as it does in Namanhumbir ruby mining, with its British counterpart Gemsfield.

Parallel to this project, Mwiriti Lda. is carrying out gold and graphite prospecting in the districts of Marávia and Zumbo, in the province of Tete, regions where the company holds 5 prospecting and research licenses, where it has already invested about 125 million meticais, and is currently employing 60 mostly local workers.