Angolan police have seized several equipment used in illegal diamond mining in the eastern Lunda Sul province, according to local media.
Angolan state-owned news agency, Angop quoted the local deputy coordinator of Operation Transparency, Commissioner Mário Queiroz as saying that they detained 41 illegal diamond miners in the Samusseleca, Saurimo municipality.
Angola reported last month that it seized 462 diamonds in May and June in Lunda-Norte Province.
Of the diamonds seized, 200 (46, 8 carats) were valued at $9 million, while the value of the other 262 stones was yet to be established.
Operation transparency was launched in December 2018 to combat illegal diamond mining, illegal immigration, administrative infractions, among other things.
More than 6500 diamonds were seized in 2019 under the operation.
At least 19 vehicles and $275,000 were also confiscated while 147,379 foreign citizens were deported for illegal immigration.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Yoram Dvash: Industry unity, producer leadership and marketing investment key to natural diamond's future
The natural diamond industry is navigating a period of significant transition, but there are increasing signs that the foundations for a stronger and more positive future are being built, according to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)...
29 june 2026
AWDC: First fully traceable artisanal diamonds from DRC sold on the international market in Antwerp
In a historic milestone for the diamond industry, fully traceable, artisanal diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been sold on the international market for the very first time in Antwerp. Below, Ine Tassignon, AWDC spokesperson, provides...
22 june 2026
Natural diamonds most desired luxury jewellery, Gen Z spending double baby boomers, reveals De Beers report
Natural diamonds remain the most desired jewellery item among US consumers, with Millennials and Gen Z driving demand value and spending, according to De Beers Group’s The Diamond Report, which draws on the biannual Diamond Acquisition Study of 18,500...
15 june 2026
Edahn Golan: India’s lab-grown diamond exports surpass natural diamonds by volume, yet value gap widens
India’s diamond industry has reached a historic turning point. In March and April 2026, the volume of lab‑grown diamond exports overtook that of natural diamonds, with lab‑grown stones accounting for 51% and 50.4% of total export volume respectively...
01 june 2026
Dr M’zée Fula-Ngenge: Kimberley Process failing Africa
The Kimberley Process (KP) is failing Africa, and the world's definition of a “conflict diamond” is a moral and legal absurdity, according to the African Diamond Council (ADC) chairperson M’zée Fula-Ngenge. The following exclusive...
18 may 2026
