Mozambique combines energy, minerals ministries

OREANDA-NEWS. Mozambique's new president Filipe Nyusi has merged the energy and minerals resources ministries in a move aimed at cutting government spending.

The merged ministry of mineral resources and energy will be headed by former deputy finance minister Pedro Couto. He will oversee the planned development of the country's offshore gas resources into LNG projects by firms including US independent Anadarko and Italian energy firm Eni, along with additional investment in the country's coking coal sector.

Nyusi made the changes after being officially sworn into office on 15 January this year.

Mozambique's first LNG exports are scheduled for 2019. The country is also currently carrying out an offshore upstream licensing round.