Russian company searches for groundwater in Libya

A Russian state-owned geological company is carrying out groundwater exploration in the Sahara Desert in Libya, Russia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov has said.

Kozlov said Rosgeologia’s work in Libya was part of exploration programmes being conducted across several African countries.

The company is also exploring for minerals in Sudan, Chad, Benin, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, with results expected by the end of the year, he said.

Russia plans to expand geological research in other African countries as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in mineral exploration and the use of underground resources.

New projects are expected to be discussed at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on 28 and 29 October.

Kozlov was speaking ahead of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, which runs from 1 to 4 September.