Chipindo — Prospecting of gold in the municipality of Chipindo, some 456 kilometres of Lubango, southern Huila province, has been started by a consortium involving Ferrangol, Lavulo and Chpindo Campany, the local administrator, Daniel Salupassa, said Wednesday here.

Speaking to Angop during a visit to the region by the province's governor, Marcelino Tyipingui, the administrator said the works are going on well for a few months now in the Carmoloy mine, locality of Bambi, and is part of the effort to revitalise the mining industry in the region.

He recalled that Chipindo had in 1975 an industry based on exploration of gold, which had a great impact on the country's economy and development.

The official further stated that since the national independence until the 1980's, Chipindo experience a period of difficulties that led to the paralisation of the activity.

"Bambi has been chosen for the start of prospecting of gold and I believe there are still huge reserves of the product in the locality, which might bring about the development of the province in this chapter," he stressed.

The municipality of Chipindo has a population estimated at more than 120,000 inhabitants.