The Tetelo Copper mine, situated in the Mavoyo region of Maquela do Zombo, Uíge province, is entering its final stages of implementation, with production expected to commence within six months, according to Marcelino Ferreira, director of the Uíge Provincial Office of Integrated Economic Development.
Speaking to Rádio Nacional de Angola, Ferreira revealed that the Sociedade Mineira de Cobre de Angola aims to achieve an initial daily production of up to eight thousand tons of copper, with potential for further expansion during peak operation.
The mine is poised to become the largest open-pit facility in the country and is set to employ approximately 1,300 workers.
Covering an extensive deposit area of 1,955 square kilometers across various regions, including Mavoyo, Maquela do Zombo, Quimbumba, and Pecheche, the mine boasts a lifespan of over 10 years.
Initially confined to a four-kilometer perimeter, plans for expansion are underway, including the development of new prospects.
Additionally, plans for an underground mine with a four-kilometer length and an 880-meter-deep gallery are in progress.
The Mavoyo-Tetelo-Bembe concession area is rich in copper, zinc, and lead, situated within the Western Congo belt, akin to other notable copper deposits discovered in neighboring countries.
The commencement of construction for the mine facilities was initiated by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, in May of the previous year.
