Mozambique’s government approved the creation of a new oil and mining authority, the Inspectorate-General of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The new authority was created to guarantee “the permanent and efficient monitoring of activities in compliance with the law,” according to the cabinet’s spokesperson Ana Comoana.
The Inspectorate-General of Mineral Resources and Energy is to have administrative and technical autonomy and focus on five issues: mining inspection, hydrocarbon and fuel, energy, internal audit and rescue.
“We want to prevent illegal extraction, trade and export of oil and mining products,” the spokesperson said.
Over the last couple of years, Mozambique has been focused on hydrocarbon prospecting, following the discovery of large gas and coal reserves.