Luanda - Angola's mineral resources sector is seeking to attract investment and discovery of new geological mining potential to exceed the annual production of 10 million carats, the Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Jânio Correia Victor, said Monday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Mining Worker Day taking place in Luanda, the minister said the sector is working to develop multiple value chains in the sector.
The minister underlined that, since the sector is much diversified, investment would allow a significant increase in production.
As regard to gold production, the minister said there are geologically some occurrences, and that with the National Geological Plan surveys, the country has more detailed maps that have allowed it to make considerable bets in terms of investment.
According to Jânio Victor, the challenge at the moment is to increase the production of precious stones and metals, increase the production and processing of ornamental rocks and exploit non-metallic resources such as iron, phosphate and potash.
The minister added the country is also seeking to increase the production of ferrous metals, diamond cutting and improve Angola's geological knowledge, with a view to drawing up maps and updating the inventory of mineral resources in the country.
"We are also continuing to promote good governance practices such as rigor and transparency in the granting of mining rights," Victor said.
The Secretary of State mentioned the inauguration of some projects currently being set up by mining companies in Cabinda province, as well as the existence of gold production in the provinces of Huambo and Huíla, with the aim of encouraging national and foreign investors and large multinationals to look at the reality of gold in Angola.
He explained that Angola has mines, but "is starting to make them something valuable for the country that will contribute to the jeweler industry".
Mining Workers' Day was established on April 27, 1985 by the then Angolan Defense and Security Council, in recognition of the performance of this segment of the national economy, which transforms the country's mineral resources into wealth.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas is commemorating the event by holding technical and scientific days in the provinces of Luanda, Huambo, Lunda-Norte and Lunda-Sul, characterised by activities involving those linked to the sector, under the slogan "The evolution and prospects of mining activity in Angola". HM/VC/AMP
