Dundo - The executive administrator for mining operations at ENDIAMA E.P., Laureano Paulo, reiterated on Wednesday that the company is focused on discovering new diamond reserves, with a view to increasing the number of mines and improving the subsector's economic cycle.
ENDIAMA controls more than 20 industrial companies.
Speaking at the opening of the biannual review workshop on diamond production, Laureano Paulo announced that, soon, two mines (Luachimba and Chamacamba), under the management of ENDIAMA, will come into operation in the province of Lunda-Norte.
He added that the sector is working to increase the useful life of the Catoca mining project to another 20 years, taking into account its potential in the country's economic balance.
“Catoca is currently one of the best mines we have in the country, in the near future we may not have Catoca producing in the open pit, which is why it will be necessary to increase production and research capacity to have Catoca for another 20 years”, he stressed.
Laureano Paulo also highlighted that the Luele mine, although it is an embryonic project, is consolidating itself and in the coming decades it could be one of the best projects in Africa.
On the other hand, he said that the current market situation is not very satisfactory, as diamond sales are below 55% of the scheduled price.
“If we take into account that a mining project planned to sell US$500/carat, the average price, and the real price is US$250, this represents a great constraint, requiring managers to create new dynamics and sufficient intelligence to maintain the companies”, he stressed.
Regarding environmental issues, Laureano Paulo called on companies to improve environmental prevention and preservation actions, through forest repopulation and soil replacement programs.
He also called for the improvement of social responsibility programs for companies in the subsector.
“We cannot continue working, producing wealth without paying attention to our social responsibility”, he highlighted.HD/CF/DOJ
