Portugal’s LNEG is collaborating with Timor-Leste to explore mineral potential, identifying deposits for gold, chromium, nickel, and copper. Following an initial inventory, deeper site assessments will be conducted. This partnership aims not only to evaluate mineral resources but also to support sustainable economic development in Timor-Leste, alongside training local personnel.
Portugal’s National Energy and Geology Laboratory (LNEG) is collaborating with Timor-Leste’s Geosciences Institute to assess the mineral potential in the Southeast Asian nation. According to Lusa news agency, project leader Igor Pereira Morais mentioned there is already identified potential for gold and crucial minerals such as chromium, nickel, and copper. LNEG aims to help pinpoint areas most likely to contain metallic minerals.
The collaborative effort is further supported by researchers from the Earth Sciences Department at the University of Coimbra. If the preliminary assessments confirm the existence of metallic minerals, specialized companies will then explore the commercial viability of these resources. Morais stated, “We’ve already made an initial inventory. In the next phase, it’s necessary to go to the sites and delve deeper.”
LNEG highlighted that extractive industries, like metallic mineral resources, are essential for sustainable development in modern societies. This collaboration could pave the way for Timor-Leste’s economic future as it transitions away from reliance on fossil fuels, its previous primary source of income. A memorandum of understanding was signed last March, marking the start of on-ground efforts a few months later, with Morais conducting field campaigns to standardize data related to metallic minerals and to create Timor-Leste’s initial resource maps.
In addition to survey efforts, the partnership includes training for Timorese personnel, with two individuals expected to study at LNEG’s Aljustrel campus in Portugal. Morais emphasized LNEG’s significant role in knowledge transfer between both nations, noting the organization’s considerable experience in various international projects, particularly in Africa and South America.
The collaboration between Portugal and Timor-Leste signifies a promising step towards assessing and potentially harnessing the mineral resources of Timor-Leste. Through well-structured survey work and personnel training initiatives, this partnership may lead to sustainable economic development for the nation, transitioning towards a more diverse economic model that is less dependent on fossil fuels.
Original Source: macaonews.org
