Luanda – The commercialization of 5.66 million carats of rough diamonds generated a total revenue of 608.84 million dollars (1 USD is worth 918 kwanzas), during the first half of this year, in Angola.
According to a report on diamond activity in the country, presented Wednesday, in Luanda, the production of this mineral, in the period in question, represented an increase of 36% compared to the same period in 2023, which registered 4.1 million carats.
During the first half of this year, Angolan diamonds were sold at an average price of US$191 per carat.
The diamonds were destined for the United Arab Emirates, with 86.4%, followed by Belgium (13.5%) and Botswana, with 0.05 percent.
As for tax contributions, there was an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year, with a total of USD 45.55 million collected in royalties and taxes.
On the other hand, diamond production in the first six months in Angola recorded a 20% decrease compared to the National Development Plan (PDN), which predicted a figure of 6.98 million carats.
According to the director of Mining Operations and Holdings Management at Endiama, Miguel Vemba, who presented the report, of the 5.6 million carats, 88% were from primary deposits, corresponding to 4.9 million carats.
He added that around 12% are secondary deposits, corresponding to 659 thousand carats, 36% higher compared to the same period last year, which reached 1.5 million carats.
Miguel Vemba recalled that Angola is the fourth largest producer of rough diamonds in the world, with an industrial production of 9.8 million carats/year, produced in the provinces of Lunda-Norte, Lunda-Sul, Bié, Cuanza-Sul and Malanje.
Of this amount, the Catoca mine contributed 54% and Luele 33%, while the remaining 13 percent resulted from the contribution of 21 projects distributed across the country.
According to the director, in the face of a global scenario of uncertainty and high market instability, the Angolan diamond subsector has demonstrated resilience, seeking to adapt to market conditions and maintain its competitive position on the global stage.
In the field of employability, this subsector has 22 thousand 927 employees. OPF/QCB/DOJ
