Angola's largest diamond mining company, Catoca sold 2.9 million carats of diamonds worth $280 million in the first half of the year.
Company head of production and technical control department Romulo Mucase was quoted by Xinhua as saying that this represents an increase of 81% compared to the same period last year that was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The critical phase of the pandemic, in 2020, forced the dismissal of 70 % of the workforce, a fact that compromised production that year," he said.
Mucase said Catoca was planning to boost output in the second half of 2021 following the lifting of some measures to control the pandemic by the Angolan government.
Catoca contributes more than 75% of diamonds produced in Angola.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Exclusive
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
Artur Salyakayev: For me, happiness is freedom to make my ideas happen and create valuable products
Artur Salyakayev is an art entrepreneur, founder of the International Jewelry Academy (IJA) and the INCRUA jewelry company. He has initiated and developed successful projects in jewelry industry and services sector. He is also a leading expert...
30 september 2024
