De Beers has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Angola’s National Mineral Resource Agency, Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, and Angola’s state-owned diamond trading company, Sodiam.
The signing of the MoU, which took place at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, seeks to advance Angola’s diamond sector with a focus on increasing diamond production, supporting the growth of alluvial diamond mining, and enhancing social development opportunities for the benefit of Angola’s citizens.
Addressing delegates after the signing ceremony, De Beers chief executive Al Cook said that the MoU extends the group’s partnership with Angola following the signing of two Mineral Investment Contracts (MICs) in 2022 for licence areas in north-eastern Angola, where exploration activities are now underway.
The parties agreed to work together to review several kimberlite deposits to reassess their economic attractiveness through the application of new De Beers technologies, promote the transparency and traceability of diamond production, and identify opportunities to build local community capacity by leveraging the group’s Building Forever sustainability framework.
“Angola continues to set an example as a country that has reformed its prospects through enhanced transparency, the adoption of internationally recognised best practices, and a business-friendly investment environment,” said Cook.
“Returning to Angola in 2022 was a significant step for De Beers, and we see a bright future in the country. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Angola through harnessing our collective expertise and ambition to support a thriving diamond sector.”
Endiama chief executive Ganga Júnior said this is a strategic partnership to increase diamond production in Angola.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, from Cape Town, South Africa, Rough&Polished
