The Angolan government says artisanal and semi-industrial cooperatives should become industrial companies within two years.
The state-owned news agency, Angop quoted minister for mineral resources Diamantino Azevedo, who had a meeting with mineral operators from Lunda Sul province, as saying that diamond co-operatives should be organised in a business way and pay tax if they are to continue operating.
He said compliance with standards was important for preserving the value of natural diamonds.
The minister also said that the bulk of already licensed cooperatives were not productive while others were still in the process of mobilising resources and equipment as well as negotiating partnerships with potential investors or financial backers.
Meanwhile, Azevedo said that the Angolan government is making efforts to diversify from diamonds.
He said Luanda would be focused on the exploration of other metals such as gold, magnesium, and iron.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
Helga Pombal: Angola's Stardiam finds solution to the threat posed by lab-grown diamonds
Stardiam manager of production Helga Pombal told Rough&Polished's Mathew Nyaungwa on the sidelines of the Angola International Diamond Conference that lab-grown diamonds are creating a parallel market for more accessible stones, combined with lower...
Yesterday
Ellah Muchemwa: ADPA to launch Africa's first diamond mining standard next year
The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), which is based in Luanda, Angola, and represents the interests of mainly African diamond producers and those with the potential to produce diamonds, will next year launch the Sustainable Development...
04 november 2024
Dmitry Fedorov: I want our jewelry to be displayed at a museum in the future
Dmitry Fedorov is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house. His main focus is the creation of Orthodox-inspired premium luxury jewelry of high artistic merit. He told Rough&Polished about his journey in the jewelry industry, about choosing the ‘Orthodox...
28 october 2024
Responsible business practices ‘no longer optional’, says WDC President Feriel Zerouki
The president of the World Diamond Council takes time out of her busy schedule to tell Rough&Polished readers about the critical work of the WDC. Zerouki, the first female present of the body, which includes all the important industry organizations among...
14 october 2024
James Campbell: Botswana Diamonds optimistic as it enters uncharted territory of using AI for mineral exploration
London-listed Botswana Diamonds has expressed optimism about the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scan the exploration database in Botswana to look for new mineralised deposits. Company managing director James Campbell told Rough...
07 october 2024
