Namibia to boost bilateral cooperation in mining sector

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) A delegation led by Foreign Minister of Namibia Marco Hausiku today met Union Minister for Mines Sis Ram Ola and discussed possibilities of bilateral cooperation in the mining sector between the two countries.

Mr Hausiku said Namibia has rich mineral resources like diamond, copper, gold, uranium and zinc which are yet to be explored and exploited. It also has a vibrant small-scale mining sector.

The Minister sought the help of India to explore and exploit the smaller deposits which would contribute to the socio-economic uplift of the country. He said Namibian Laws are conducive for foreign investment and the country is taking initiative to form an association of Diamond producing countries.

Mr Ola on the other hand hoped that the private sector companies who have all the expertise for exploration of minerals would be interested to enter into a bilateral cooperation with Namibia for detailed exploration of gold diamond and base metals.

He expected that Mr Hausiku's visit would firm up specific areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Ola added that India had vast mineral resources and Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Mineral Exploration Corporation (MECL) and other public and private sector companies having state-of-the-art technologies for exploration and exploitation of these resources.

Minister of State for Mines T Subbarami Reddy was also present at the meeting.

UNI BKS PV ND1638