Angola is aiming to strengthen co-operation with China in the mining sector, the Angolan press reported this week.

Angola’s Minister of Geology and Mining, Francisco Queiroz, met on Tuesday in Beijing with China’s Minister of Land and Resources, Jiang Daming. The two Ministers discussed ways to develop further bilateral co-operation in the field of geology and mining, Angolan news agency Angop reported.

Mr Queiroz witnessed on Monday the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Angola’s Geological Institute and the equivalent organisation in China.

The Angolan Minister has also visited the headquarters of CITIC, a Chinese state-run investment company overseeing the construction of a laboratory in Luanda, Angola’s capital. The facility will serve Angola’s National Geology Plan, known as Planageo. The latter project seeks to create the first comprehensive list of the African nation’s geological and mineral resources.

“CITIC may be useful in investments in steel factories and civil construction material, as well as in attracting international investment and financing to build infrastructure to support Angola’s mining activity,” said CITIC’s President, Hong Bo, as quoted by Angolan newspaper Jornal de Angola.

During his official trip to China, Mr Queiroz is also due to attend a ceremony marking the completion of a geology-related training course for approximately 30 Angolan students. The course aims to train Angolan nationals capable of working on Planageo.