Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Academician Valentin Khalin is General Representative for Africa “SINTEZ” – SINTEZNEFTEGAZ Namibia Limited gave an interview to Rough&Polished. Valentin Khalin is son of military men was born in Ukraine. He has Diploma of Moscow University as historian; he took part in liberation of Angola and Namibia in 1980-es. He was Deputy Director of Administration Department of Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations of Russian Federation. In “SINTEZ” staff already three years.
The year is coming to an end. Was it a good year for business?
The company “SINTEZ” opened in June 2007. We chook a long time to prepare this oil project and at the moment we are on finish line. Before us an American company “VANCO” tried the same project, they held the license for 8 years but without any results and did not complete the work. As soon as we received this license we went to the drilling location. In the beginning of the New Year our drilling equipment will arrive and we will begin drilling. It will be the first exploration hole in Namibia. We are the first to mine oil in Namibia.
What projects were you working on this year?
At the moment we registered company “SINTEZ-GROUP” which will do geological survey for mineral deposits such as cooper, offshore diamond deposits, which belonged to overseas company before but they could not mastered. We are planning to mastered as we have prepare people, geologists , signing contracts for geological survey vessel and 2008 will be a success. 2007 was preparation stage.
“SINTEZ-GROUP” is taken part of the construction of Power Station in Macedonia, Germany and planning to cooperate with Botswana for development and exploitation coal fields. In February next year we are planning to research diamond deposits on 5 blocks of Skeleton Coast, South of Namibia. For now we have charted geological exploration vessel from South African company. But it soon as there is a proof of diamonds we will have our own vessel. Also we applied for a cutting license with Ministry Mines and Energy and we are hopping to receive it soon.
The company will also have other prospects and directions which we are working on at the moment.
Why your company made choice of Namibia?
I have been here at the time of the fight for Independence. That is why we had this idea, to help the Namibian economy. We like Namibia as it is most stable, ecologically clean and most friendly with Russia out of the whole African continent.
Did you have any difficulties from Government of Namibia at the time opening of a business?
The Government did not post any obstacles and support through all the stages. I would like to mention the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which is taken a part of this project. The Minister Erkki Nghimtina is our good friend and great help.
Did you gain anything from your cooperation with local industry?
We work very closely with our Namibian brothers, especially with Namibian Port in organizing the arrival of our drilling platform. We are also working with other Namibian companies who will supply drilling plate with all the necessities. A company called «RISK BASED SOLUTION» is working on our ecological contracts.
With what influential companies do you work?
“SINTEZ-GROUP” is a big Holding consisting of 6 companies. We have our own geological research, boring, transport, coal conversion, that is why we have no need to cooperate with other holdings.
What are your plans for the future?
Our most important goal is to bore our prospect hole and to proof there is oil in Namibia. We would like to get confirmation for offshore diamond deposits. If in the Next Year we receive confirmation from our geologists we will also start our preparations for open-cut cooper mining in Kaokoland.
Reported by Veronica Novoselova,
Rough&Polished Africa Bureau Editor in Namibia
