The Chinese-owned company Saint Base Indústria Mineira, Lda, has unveiled its quartz mining project in the municipality of Conda, Cuanza-Sul province.
The project will exploit a quartz deposit in the Kissasa region, located eight kilometers from the municipal center, covering an area of 400 hectares.
It is expected to operate for an initial renewable term of ten years with an estimated investment of $20 million.
At the project presentation on Thursday, Yu Zhihobhui, Chairman of the Board of Directors, outlined the phased implementation.
The first six months will involve quartz extraction, followed by the construction of a processing plant to transform the mineral into exportable raw material.
The initiative complies with guidelines from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas, in accordance with Mining Code 185/24 of August 14, which governs mining rights in the country.
“After six years of mining, our company is obligated to establish a mineral processing plant, as only processed quartz can be exported,” Yu Zhihobhui explained, noting that China will be one of the export destinations.
The project is expected to create 90 direct jobs, with 80% reserved for Angolans and 20% for expatriates.
Domingos dos Santos, the company’s General Director, emphasized the commitment to community development.
Plans include constructing a health center, a seven-classroom school, a milling facility, and rehabilitating tertiary roads in the exploration area.
“It is our duty to generate goods, services, and employment to ensure the community benefits from the company’s growth,” he stated.
He also appealed to local traditional authorities and residents to collaborate in supporting the project’s implementation.
José Lopes Correia Bumba, Deputy Municipal Administrator for Economic Affairs, praised the project’s potential to improve the lives of local populations and drive economic growth in the municipality.
“We are witnessing the launch of a project that will be a significant gain for our communities and the municipality as a whole,” he acknowledged.
João Ferreira José, Director of Integrated Economic Development Promotion in Conda, confirmed that environmental impact assessments had been conducted and expressed optimism about the project’s role in advancing the municipality’s development goals.
Local leader Soba Grande, Oliveira Francisco Culembe, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, highlighting its importance in creating jobs for the community.
“We are grateful to the Chinese company for choosing our municipality. It is a source of pride as it will provide employment for our children,” he said.
Young residents like Domingos Bernardo and Eugénio Chimuco, who secured employment with the company, shared their relief and optimism.
“I’m happy to be employed and leave behind the frustrations of joblessness,” said Bernardo. Chimuco added, “This is a blessing after many struggles. I will work hard to contribute to the company and support my family.”
The project’s unveiling marks a significant step toward enhancing economic opportunities and improving living standards in Conda.
