Vangold Resources Ltd, the Canadian oil, gas and mineral corporation exploring for oil in the Western Province, announced last week that an airborne survey was in the pipeline.

Joseph Katarebe, Vangold’s Country Manager confirmed the development yesterday but underscored that the survey will start after government endorsement. This was acknowledged by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

"No problems are expected since the project is known and has been approved by cabinet,” Charles Nyirahuku, Head of the Gas Unit in the Ministry of Infrastructure told The New Times yesterday; "they just have to fulfill some requirements.”

"The survey is scheduled to commence upon receipt of regulatory approval and the acquisition of required permits,” reads part of Vangold’s July 8 press release. "Preliminary data products will be available to Vangold’s technical representatives during the data acquisition phase, and a final compiled survey of products will be available within 3 weeks of the survey’s completion.”

Katarebe had earlier told The New Times that a Vangold team was expected in the country this month.

Vangold has signed a service agreement with New Resolution Geophysics, a South African company, for an airborne gravity and aeromagnetic survey.

This will be part of the second phase of exploration since the company announced the completion of the first phase on April 18.

Vangold’s statement says the survey will be flown over its 1,631 sq km oil and gas concession covering the sedimentary basin of the Kivu Graben in Western Province.

The Kivu Graben is located south of the Albertine Graben in Uganda on Lake Albert, where Tullow and Heritage Oil, two UK explorers, have made oil and gas discoveries estimated at 500,000 barrels and above.

According to the company, the survey is estimated to cost US $275,000 and will be completed by October.

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