The Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Jânio Correia Victor, expressed optimism about Angola’s gold production and refining capabilities during a recent address in Luanda.
He highlighted significant strides made in gold production in provinces like Cabinda, Huíla, and Huambo, and emphasized the imminent completion of the Luanda Gold Refinery.
Victor asserted that these developments lay the groundwork for the mineral sector to contribute substantially to the country’s revenue in the coming months.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Technical and Scientific Days of the Mining Workers’ Day, themed “Evolution and Perspectives of Mining Activity in Angola,” Victor outlined the final preparations for the Luanda Gold Refinery, located in the municipality of Viana.
The refinery, constructed under the auspices of the National Diamond Company (ENDIAMA) in collaboration with Geoangol Geologia e Sondagens, aims to bolster Angola’s jewelry industry and optimize revenue from gold and diamond sales.
Victor noted that 23 technicians had received training abroad, further enhancing the project’s capabilities.
Victor identified key challenges for the sector in the current year, including increasing rare stone and precious metal production, streamlining ornamental rock processing, and enhancing geological knowledge.
Despite Angola not being a major gold producer yet, Victor highlighted the country’s potential, citing historical data and surveys from the National Geology Plan (PLANAGEO) as indicators of significant investment opportunities.
The Secretary of State underscored the importance of attracting both domestic and foreign investors, particularly multinational corporations, to leverage Angola’s mineral resources for economic development.
He emphasized the strategic value of gold, which not only supports currencies but also fuels the jewelry industry.
Victor emphasized that with the impending launch of the Luanda Gold Refinery, Angola would transition from raw material production to refined gold exports, enhancing its economic standing.
Turning to diamond production, Victor highlighted the inauguration of the new Luele mine in Lunda-Sul, projecting annual production to exceed 10 million carats for the first time.
He emphasized the need for comprehensive mapping and inventorying of mineral resources and reiterated the importance of governance practices in mining rights allocation.
The Mining Worker’s Days, featuring various activities, will span until the 27th of the month across multiple provinces with active mining operations.
In a separate development, José Manuel Augusto Ganga Júnior, President of the Board of Directors of ENDIAMA, disclosed plans for exploring diamonds and other valuable mineral resources in Angola’s maritime territory.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on leadership in the mining sector, Ganga Júnior emphasized the economic potential of oceanic resource exploitation and assured ongoing efforts towards materializing these projects.
Responding to concerns about the proliferation of synthetic diamonds, Ganga Júnior acknowledged potential market impacts but stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards.
He revealed plans to establish a subsidiary company dedicated to diamond sales in key markets like Dubai and Tel Aviv, reflecting ENDIAMA’s evolution into a production-focused entity.
As Angola continues to advance its mineral sector, these initiatives signal a promising trajectory for economic growth and diversification.
