London-listed rare earths miner Pensana has named Benedito Dumbo as the site manager for the Longonjo rare earths mine in Angola, marking a significant step ahead of the project’s main construction phase.
Dumbo, a native of Luanda, Angola, brings three years of experience as a mining engineer dedicated to the project’s development.
His expertise spans various crucial areas, including drilling, logging, fleet management, and maintenance systems.
Graduating from the Camborne School of Mines, part of the University of Exeter, Dumbo holds a degree in mining engineering.
His role in reviewing and managing local quarries underscores his pivotal contribution to the Longonjo project’s progression, especially as it moves towards civil works in the coming months.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Dumbo remarked, “It is an honor to fulfill my dream of delivering a project that will benefit not only the local region but the entire nation of Angola, particularly as the economy diversifies away from traditional oil and gas.”
Dumbo’s vision extends to creating opportunities for local residents, aiming to inspire young individuals to join the mining industry.
His appointment aligns with Pensana’s commitment to empowering local communities and fostering economic growth.
The Longonjo project, slated for commissioning by August next year, represents a significant investment of $217 million.
Its impact on the region is poised to be substantial, generating 650 jobs during construction and approximately 400 high-value direct jobs during operation, thereby bolstering the local economy.
Comprising an open-pit operation, concentrator, recovery plant, and tailings storage facility, the mine is projected to produce 38,000 tonnes per year of mixed rare earth sulphate.
The product will be transported 273 kilometers by rail to the Atlantic Port of Lobito for export.
Pensana holds an 84% stake in the Longonjo mine, with the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund retaining a 10% interest, while other stakeholders own the remaining shares.
