Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons

The production of minerals such as gold and iron in Equatorial Guinea dates back to the pre-colonial period,[4][5][6] although said production did not reach commercial levels or a great boom during the Spanish era, since exploitative agriculture and forestry were the pillars of the colonial economy.[7]

After independence, studies were carried out by geologists from the Soviet Union (1975), the French Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) (1980 to 1985) and GEMSA, a consortium between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the spanish Empresa Nacional Adaro de Investigaciones Mineras (ENAIMSA).[1] These studies resulted in the discovery of important deposits of uranium, gold and other minerals.[8]

Likewise, although the oil boom and the first exploitations occurred in the 90s, the first oil exploration licenses began in 1965.[9]

The first Ministry of Mines was established during the first government of Macias Nguema, who appointed Ricardo Erimola Chema Minister of Industry and Mines.[10] After the overthrow of the Macías regime and during the Supreme Military Council, the powers of the ministry passed to the "Military Commissioner" (title given to ministers during the period of the Supreme Military Council) Pedro Nsué Obama.

In this period, the Mines portfolio lost the rank of ministry and became a General Directorate that depended directly on the presidency of the government until 1985, when through a decree law, the portfolio returned to being a Ministry.[11]