Northern Province Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga says there are major investment opportunities in exploration of oil and other minerals in the province.

Mr. Kamanga says in the Mining sector, the Province presents quarrying opportunities for both large and small scale entrepreneurs.

“One such example is the Kasama flat stone, a flat slate with a smooth surface, mostly used for engravings and is also handy as a building material for making walls or floor tiles and other decorative works, Mr. Kamanga said.

Mr. Kamanga states that mining exploration and surveys have confirmed the presence of mineral deposits as well as gemstones.

He says the confirmed deposits include semi-precious stones such as emeralds, beryllium, sapphire, garnet, tourmaline, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, quartz and gold, in various parts of the Province such as Luwingu district in Senior Chief Shimumbi’s chiefdom.

He adds that there is also a type of clay that can be mined for pottery.