Angola had for the past few years been conducting a geological survey as part of the National Geology Plan (Planageo).
The programme was initially slated to complete by the end of 2015, but the geological institute of Angola general director Mankenda Ambroise told Rough & Polished’s Mathew Nyaungwa in an exclusive interview that the gathering of data was now due end of the year.
He, however, said the interpretation of the gathered data would be done next year.
Core work on Planageo includes geophysical, geochemical and geological surveys, geological mapping at a 1: 250,000 scale and metallic minerals at a 1: 100,000 scale as well as mineral studies to support construction on the scale of 1: 50,000.
Angola, through Planageo, would have a better knowledge of the country’s geology and mineral resources.
Ambroise said that this would strengthen their position when negotiating contracts with mining companies.
Angola was of the view that the data collected would allow public and private companies to select the most promising targets for implementation of mining projects as well as make it easier to locate deposits.
Apart from diamonds, Angola had iron, manganese, titanium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, tin, nickel and cobalt deposits.
It also has lithium, niobium, tantalum, gold, silver and platinum.
Below are excerpts of the interview.
You were Angola’s Geology and Mining permanent secretary and now the general director of the geological institute of Angola. Can you shed some light on the country’s geological survey?
We aim to study the whole country in terms of geology, geochemistry and geophysics to provide the information or data that we need in the country. You cannot even invest in the country without knowing any geological information. So, that’s what we are doing now.
So how far have you gone with this programme?
We have already two years into the programme and (…) we hope to finish the studies by end of 2016 and then start the interpretation of the data in 2017. Surveying is not any easy task. We believe that by the end of 2017 we will not have total information, but acceptable and credible information.
What is the aim of this geological survey?
The target is to have knowledge of the geological and mineral resource of the country and then help attract investors. It will also give power to the country to negotiate with potential investors unlike in the past when we didn’t have knowledge of the mineral resource getting into a contract with mining companies.
Are diamonds mainly at the back of your minds as you conduct the survey or you are looking at all minerals available in the country?
It is not only for diamonds only, but for the whole minerals. Diamonds were the best in the past, but not now going onwards.
So, in other words you seem to be saying that Angola wants to diversify away from diamonds?
No! We don’t want to, but we have already started diversifying away from diamonds.
How far have you gone with this diversification programme?
Copper mining has already started, while iron and phosphate mining will start soon. We have already finished studies of these minerals and so what it means is that diamonds will not be considered alone in terms of statistics of mineral production in the country. So we are going on.
Do you have any knowledge on the new Luaxe kimberlite discovered in Angola?
You will get adequate information on that from Endiama.
But as government are you excited about this new discovery?
Yes, and the new kimberlite will double the annual output from the current 8 million carats to between 16 million and 20 million carats in the next five years.
When is it coming on stream?
It will start production next year.
Who owns the project?
The partners are Catoca and Endiama. You know Endiama is the main company that explores and exploits diamonds in the country, so you cannot do business in diamonds without Endiama being part of it. Endiama also has a stake in Catoca.
Have you seen an increased demand from foreign companies willing to invest in non-diamond mining?
Yes, lots of applications for all minerals, there is a big queue of people applying because they know that if they waste time they will lose.
How quick are you in processing the applications?
Normally we take 45 days depending on how you organise your [papers].
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
