The Director General of Luele Mining Company (SML), Rômulo Mucasse, announced in Saurimo that stable performance indicators in diamond extraction, processing, and recovery could enable the company to produce 6.7 million carats during the current fiscal year.
He recalled that the Luele project, inaugurated by the President of the Republic roughly a year and a half ago, has become one of the key assets in Angola’s diamond sector.
Alongside Catoca Mining Company, Luele now contributes 89% of the country’s total diamond output.
Mucasse acknowledged the sector’s ongoing challenges, especially fluctuating diamond prices.
However, he noted encouraging signs between January and March 2025, when prices began to recover, showing significant improvement compared to late 2024.
Due to last year’s market downturn, the company had to revise its sales strategy to accommodate unsold stock.
The improved market conditions justified these adjustments, helping to stabilize operations.
Despite being a relatively new player, SML closed 2024 with a strong performance, contributing 43% of Angola’s total diamond production.
Mucasse emphasized that one of the company’s main objectives for 2025 is to restructure its mining operations and improve reserve quality—key steps toward certification and long-term sustainability of the mine.
As part of its expansion strategy, Luele plans to optimize its processing plant by equipping it with new machinery to add a second production line by the end of 2025.
Internally, efforts are underway to ensure the company meets all legal requirements to obtain ISO certification at various levels.
In terms of social responsibility, SML has invested $15 million to build a residential village for 300 families relocated from the diamond concession area.
The village will include shops, a school, hospital, sports facilities, a police station, power and water infrastructure, and large areas for farming and fishing.
This initiative aims to preserve local traditions while ensuring sustainable community development by supporting agriculture and aquaculture.
Luele has also invested in youth training. After a series of vocational programs, 48 out of over 100 trained young people were hired.
The company is now preparing to open a youth training center and install maize mills to support local food processing.
