Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MAPUTO1399
2007-11-29 14:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Maputo
Cable title:
RESOURCES MINISTER ON URANIUM, EITI, INVESTMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO8898 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHTO #1399 3331400 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 291400Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8258 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0089 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/DOE WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 001399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN EPET EINV KNNP SENV KRAD ENRG MZ
SUBJECT: RESOURCES MINISTER ON URANIUM, EITI, INVESTMENT
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 001399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN EPET EINV KNNP SENV KRAD ENRG MZ
SUBJECT: RESOURCES MINISTER ON URANIUM, EITI, INVESTMENT
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b) & (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Minister of Mineral Resources Esperanca
Bias told the Charge on 11/21 that the GRM isn't interested
in participating in the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (EITI) since she believes that the laws and
oversight mechanisms that the GRM has in place already
achieve the same goals as EITI. Bias welcomed rapidly
increasing U.S. investment in petroleum exploration, and she
asked for USG support and expertise as her ministry develops
a regulatory regime for radioactive minerals like uranium.
We do not share the Minister's optimism on the strength of
the GRM's laws and will continue to press for Mozambican
participation in EITI. The Minister's mention of uranium
suggests that the GRM believes that radioactive minerals may
exist in Mozambique in larger quantities than are currently
known, and the Embassy will coordinate closely with
Washington agencies to support strong GRM oversight in this
area. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Welcoming U.S. Investment
--------------
2. (C) The Charge, pol/econ chief, and econoff paid a
courtesy call to the Minister of Mineral Resources, Esperanca
Bias on 11/21. The Charge observed that U.S. companies
increasingly view Mozambique as an attractive place to
invest, especially in natural resources. He noted that
Houston-based Anadarko was confident that Northern Mozambique
had significant potential for oil and gas, and was quickly
ramping up operations in the country. He pointed to St.
Louis-based Peabody Energy's potential investment in the
Moatize coal region, and other U.S. firms' interest in
exploration in gold and other metals. The Minister welcomed
these companies, saying that U.S. investment was more
sustainable and better for Mozambique than that of some other
countries, and noted that she had visited Anadarko facilities
in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico twice.
--------------
No Interest in EITI
--------------
3. (C) Given Mozambique's potential in the sector, the
Charge urged the Minister to consider Mozambique's
participation in EITI, which could help the government manage
financial windfalls responsibly while avoiding the problems
of corruption that had befallen other resource-rich countries
in Africa. The Minister responded that in her opinion, EITI
was for countries that were only just now drafting regulatory
regimes for minerals and hydrocarbons, and since the laws and
oversight mechanisms that the GRM has in place already
achieve the same goals as EITI, the initiative was
unnecessary for Mozambique.
--------------
Help Needed to Control Radioactive Minerals
--------------
4. (C) When the Charge asked if there were areas in which
the USG could be of assistance, the Minister replied that she
would be interested in USG technical assistance and training
programs for the oversight of radioactive materials,
particularly uranium. She indicated that the GRM was
drafting a law that would guide the mining operations in this
area, including environmental issues, along with subsequent
transport and export, and suggested that there was the
potential for much growth. The Charge assured her that we
would consult with Washington agencies.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) We do not share the Minister's optimism on the
strength of the GRM's laws and institutions governing the
mining and petroleum sectors and believe that Mozambican
participation in EITI would be beneficial. She clearly
seemed annoyed by the reference to EITI (&Why isn't the U.S.
a member?8 she asked.),something which the British and
Norwegian Ambassadors here have also been discussing with the
GRM. The Minister's mention of uranium suggests that the GRM
believes that radioactive minerals may exist in Mozambique in
larger quantities than are currently known. Embassy welcomes
input from Washington agencies on how best to support strong
GRM oversight in this area.
Chapman
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN EPET EINV KNNP SENV KRAD ENRG MZ
SUBJECT: RESOURCES MINISTER ON URANIUM, EITI, INVESTMENT
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b) & (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Minister of Mineral Resources Esperanca
Bias told the Charge on 11/21 that the GRM isn't interested
in participating in the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (EITI) since she believes that the laws and
oversight mechanisms that the GRM has in place already
achieve the same goals as EITI. Bias welcomed rapidly
increasing U.S. investment in petroleum exploration, and she
asked for USG support and expertise as her ministry develops
a regulatory regime for radioactive minerals like uranium.
We do not share the Minister's optimism on the strength of
the GRM's laws and will continue to press for Mozambican
participation in EITI. The Minister's mention of uranium
suggests that the GRM believes that radioactive minerals may
exist in Mozambique in larger quantities than are currently
known, and the Embassy will coordinate closely with
Washington agencies to support strong GRM oversight in this
area. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Welcoming U.S. Investment
--------------
2. (C) The Charge, pol/econ chief, and econoff paid a
courtesy call to the Minister of Mineral Resources, Esperanca
Bias on 11/21. The Charge observed that U.S. companies
increasingly view Mozambique as an attractive place to
invest, especially in natural resources. He noted that
Houston-based Anadarko was confident that Northern Mozambique
had significant potential for oil and gas, and was quickly
ramping up operations in the country. He pointed to St.
Louis-based Peabody Energy's potential investment in the
Moatize coal region, and other U.S. firms' interest in
exploration in gold and other metals. The Minister welcomed
these companies, saying that U.S. investment was more
sustainable and better for Mozambique than that of some other
countries, and noted that she had visited Anadarko facilities
in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico twice.
--------------
No Interest in EITI
--------------
3. (C) Given Mozambique's potential in the sector, the
Charge urged the Minister to consider Mozambique's
participation in EITI, which could help the government manage
financial windfalls responsibly while avoiding the problems
of corruption that had befallen other resource-rich countries
in Africa. The Minister responded that in her opinion, EITI
was for countries that were only just now drafting regulatory
regimes for minerals and hydrocarbons, and since the laws and
oversight mechanisms that the GRM has in place already
achieve the same goals as EITI, the initiative was
unnecessary for Mozambique.
--------------
Help Needed to Control Radioactive Minerals
--------------
4. (C) When the Charge asked if there were areas in which
the USG could be of assistance, the Minister replied that she
would be interested in USG technical assistance and training
programs for the oversight of radioactive materials,
particularly uranium. She indicated that the GRM was
drafting a law that would guide the mining operations in this
area, including environmental issues, along with subsequent
transport and export, and suggested that there was the
potential for much growth. The Charge assured her that we
would consult with Washington agencies.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) We do not share the Minister's optimism on the
strength of the GRM's laws and institutions governing the
mining and petroleum sectors and believe that Mozambican
participation in EITI would be beneficial. She clearly
seemed annoyed by the reference to EITI (&Why isn't the U.S.
a member?8 she asked.),something which the British and
Norwegian Ambassadors here have also been discussing with the
GRM. The Minister's mention of uranium suggests that the GRM
believes that radioactive minerals may exist in Mozambique in
larger quantities than are currently known. Embassy welcomes
input from Washington agencies on how best to support strong
GRM oversight in this area.
Chapman