[Ferro-Alloys.Com]South Sudan is Africa’s newest country, having seceded from its northern neighbour in 2011, after years of civil war. Some officials in the new nation believe it has unexplored deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, uranium, chromite, manganese and iron ore.

 

China will help South Sudan develop a mining sector and is in talks to lend it between $1bn and $2bn for road, power and agriculture projects, Oil and Mining Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau said on Monday. Speaking at a joint news conference with Chinese ambassador Ma Qiang, Mr Dau said China would provide $43m to conduct a geological study to help South Sudan’s plans to hand out mining licences in its search for gold and other metals. He gave no further details on the discussed loan.

 

China has been very active in the African continent as it tries to quench its huge appetite for natural resources. In March, South Sudan signed a mining law to attract foreign investment, but officials and mining companies say it will take time to develop the sector because of the lack of almost any infrastructure or geological surveys.

 

"South Sudan will give Chinese companies the opportunity to invest in the Republic of South Sudan in the areas of petroleum and mining industries, and also in other economic circles," Mr Dau said. Under the new mining law, firms may apply for a five-year exploration permit, renewable for two five-year terms,