Equatorial+Guinea+Strategic+Minerals

=China Unlikely to Invest Significantly in Equatorial Guinea's Minerals Sector=

Executive Summary:
China unlikely to invest heavily in strategic minerals in Equatorial Guinea in the next five years. Equatorial Guinea has great potential for minerals, but has had no major breakthrough in the industry.

Discussion:
Petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand, gravel ,and clay are identified as Equatorial Guinea's natural resources. The main exports being petroleum and timber. The Government of Equatorial Guinea has a strong desire to diversify its economy by developing its mining industry, and wishes to obtain a geological and geophysical database that will enable the detection of mineral, hydrocarbon and groundwater resources. Sillenger, a exploration of minerals company, believes there is a strong indication that the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, which is a major offshore oil producer, is potentially rich with gold, diamonds, and other precious resources. The West Africa region hosts a number of major base metals mines extracting copper, zinc, bauxite, and iron ore. Recent exploration activity has led to the discovery of rare element strategic minerals such as uranium, tantalum, gallium and lithium.

** Analytic Confidence: **
Analytic confidence is medium. Source reliability ranges from medium to high. There is no conflict between sources. The analyst had low expertise on the subject, worked alone while also collaborating with a group, and did not use a structured analytic method. The subject is moderately complex and the deadline was moderately easy to meet.
 * Analyst:** RoseAnna Wright