Range Resources 'wants to return to Puntland'

[sheekh-Farax-zero]

GAROWE, Somalia June 7 - A delegation from Australian mining firm Range Resources, Ltd., has visited the Somali self-governing region of Puntland for the first time since the January election of President Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," inside sources tell Somali news agency Garowe Online.

The Range Resources delegation was led by Mr. Peter Landau, the company's executive director. The delegation met with Puntland Cabinet ministers on Thursday in Garowe, the capital of Puntland State.

The meeting was organized by Puntland's Minerals and Petroleum Director, Mr. Isse Mohamud "Dholowa," and attended by Finance Minister Farah Ali Jama, Interior Minister Gen. Abdullahi Ahmed "Ilkajir" and Public Works Minister Dahir Khalif Farah.

Sources close to the meeting told Garowe Online that Mr. Landau presented a case that Range Resources has been "reformed" and reportedly "admitted" to past mistakes.

Mr. Landau offered to work closely with the new government in Puntland in matters of exploring for oil and minerals in the vast territory in northeastern Somalia.

Further, Mr. Landau reportedly informed the Puntland government officials that Canada-based Africa Oil Corp. has "violated" some clauses of its controversial exploration contract in Puntland.

It is not clear why Mr. Landau accused Africa Oil, but the Canadian explorer with links to Sweden's Lundin Petroleum has an 80% stake in a joint-venture agreement with Range Resources to search and drill for oil in Puntland's Dharoor and Nugaal valleys.

While in Garowe, the Range Resources delegation did not meet with President Farole, who became opposition leader in 2005 after rejecting ex-Puntland President Adde Muse's controversial oil contract with Range Resources.

President Farole has publicly stated that all contracts signed by the former Muse administration are "under review" to ensure legality and to protect the interests of Puntland State.

To date, no oil drilling has taken place in Puntland as Range Resources took its contract with ex-President Muse abroad and "sold" exploration rights to other companies, such as Africa Oil.