16 Jan 2025 19:42

Russia, Central African Republic sign memorandum of cooperation in geology, mineral development

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Mines and Geology Ministry of the Central African Republic have signed a memorandum of mutual understanding to develop cooperation in geology and mineral development.

The interaction will focus on regional geological survey of the subsoil, technological survey and development of mineral resources, arrangement of an evaluation of mineral reserves, prospecting, evaluation and exploration of various types of minerals, and laboratory and analytical research, the Russian ministry said in a press release.

A working group will draft practical cooperation proposals and consider the involvement of Russian companies in geological prospecting projects in the near future, it said.

Russia has a vast experience in geological survey, forecasting, and prospecting, the press release quoted Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Sergei Anopriyenko as saying. "We see a significant potential for cooperation with public and private companies of the Central African Republic in such areas as regional geological survey of the subsoil, professional development at Russian institutes, and organization of joint international exhibitions and conventions in the field of geology and mineral development," he said.

"The Central African Republic is rich in numerous types of solid mineral resources, including gold, and we are ready to bolster mutually advantageous cooperation with the Russian Federation in geological prospecting," Central African Republic Minister of Mines and Geology Rufin Benam-Beltoungou said.

A delegation from the Central African Republic is paying an official visit to Moscow on Thursday. Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the status and further development of bilateral political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation.