Cape Town – Angola’s National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRN), the diamond firms Endiama and Sodiam signed Tuesday a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with South Africa’s De Beers aimed at promoting the diamond sector in the country.
Signed in the presence of Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, the memo aims to increase diamond production, grow alluvial diamond mining and improve social development opportunities for the benefit of Angolans.
The agreement establishes four main areas to be shared by the parties, namely the review of a series of existing kimberlitic deposits to reassess their economic attractiveness through the potential application of new technologies, identifying opportunities to grow the alluvial diamond mining sector in Angola, considering the application of De Beers' solutions in promoting transparency and traceability of diamond production in this sector.
It also includes working together to promote Angolan diamonds and an environment that will allow all parts of the diamond value chain to be established or strengthened in Angola and identifying opportunities to develop the capacity of the local community to adopt improved approaches to sustainability and social development, taking advantage of the De Beers Group's Building Forever sustainability framework wherever possible.
Al Cook, De Beers’ chief executive officer, said Angola continues to set an example as a country that has reformed its prospects through greater transparency, the adoption of internationally recognized best practices and a business-friendly investment environment.
Al Cook said he looks forward to continuing working with partners in Angola, drawing collective experience and ambition to support a thriving diamond sector, adding that returning to Angola in 2022 was a significant step for De Beers and that he sees a bright future for the country.
For Endiama's CEO, Ganga Júnior, this is a strategic partnership to increase diamond production in Angola and contribute to the country's socio-economic development.
The signing took place on the sidelines of a business forum organized by the Angolan delegation taking part in the Mining Indaba 2024 conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Memo extends the De Beers Group's partnership with Angola following the signing of two Mineral Investment Contracts in 2022 for licensed areas in north-east Angola, where exploration activities are currently underway. YD/AMP
