US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA2021

UNCLAS KINSHASA 002021 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT for AF/C (MAshraf) 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: EMIN, EINV, ECON, CF 
SUBJECT:  Congo/Brazzaville:  Start-up of Magnesium 
          Mining Operations in the ROC 
 
 
1.  In its search for alternatives to dependency on the oil 
industry and efforts to diversify the economy, the 
government of the Republic of Congo has initiated 
development of the solid mining sector.  On October 14, 
2005, at the Mengo field near Pointe Noire, the Minister of 
Mines and Geology presided at an official ceremony to 
celebrate the inaugural drilling and exploitation of 
magnesium by Magaloy Congo S.A., a Canadian-affiliated 
mineral mining company. 
 
2. Feasibility studies for this project initially started 
ten years ago. According to Magaloy technical experts, the 
Menga field has significant magnesium reserves.  The company 
is drilling five, 850 meter deep bore holes that will be 
fitted with plastic tubes to allow magnesium extraction. In 
order to mitigate negative environmental impacts, Magaloy 
stated that state-of-the-art drilling technologies will be 
employed. The benefits of the project include revenues to 
the government and the creation of an estimated 4,000 jobs. 
 
3. Updates on this activitiy and other commercial/economic 
development will be provided by ECON/Consular Officer 
Chelsea Bakken and FSN Econ Assistant Benjamin Ekoloko. 
 
4. Please be advised that the Embassy Brazzaville TDY Office 
currently has no access to IVG, OpenNet or GAL e-mail. 
Embassy staff may be contacted via the following personal e- 
mail accounts or cell phone numbers: 
 
CDA Mark Biedlingmaier, carpaemarkum@hotmail.com 
 celtel: (242) 526-3562 
ECON/CONS Chelsea Bakken, bzvbakkencmh@yahoo.com 
 celtel: (242) 528-7963  (R&R, 12/13 - 1/15) 
TDY MGT Susan Selbin, sselbin@hotmail.com 
 celtel: (242) 525-7387  (departs post 12/23) 
 
5. Brazzaville Embassy Office - Biedlingmaier. 
 
MEECE