Angola’s Mining Minister Flags Illegal Diamond Trade and Child Labor in Lunda Norte
The Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, has warned that diamond mining in Lunda Norte faces “a serious and complex challenge,” with the province recording the highest number of illegal diamond hotspots in Angola.
Speaking during the inauguration of a new university campus in Lunda Norte, a USD 60 million investment unveiled by President João Lourenço, the minister expressed concern over the involvement of women and children in mining activities and the strong presence of foreign nationals in the sector.
He highlighted the proliferation of illegal diamond trading houses, particularly in mining and border regions, which operate outside the law, pay in foreign currency, and fuel organized illicit trade networks.
“These practices threaten not only Angola’s sovereignty and international reputation but also the long-term sustainability of the diamond industry,” Azevedo stated.
The minister warned that illegal mining and trade encourage money laundering, illegal immigration, child labor, environmental destruction, disease transmission, and other “deeply harmful” social consequences.
Strengthening Oversight and Formalizing the Sector
Azevedo stressed that the government will continue to adopt strong measures to combat illegal activity, holding financiers, promoters, and participants criminally accountable.
He emphasized the importance of reinforcing mining oversight, controlling concession areas, and opening non-concession zones for formal semi-industrial and industrial mining.
“These initiatives can provide legitimate employment opportunities for many young Angolans currently working in illegal mining,” he explained.
The minister added that replicating successful models of enforcement from other concessions is vital to protect resources, guarantee diamond traceability, and safeguard Angola’s credibility in international markets.
Lunda Norte’s Role in Angola’s Diamond Industry
Azevedo underlined Lunda Norte’s importance as a diamond-producing hub, currently home to 21 active mining projects that directly employ more than 8,000 workers.
In the past two years, the province has averaged 1.4 million carats of rough diamond production annually, accounting for about 12% of Angola’s total output.
Education Investment in Dundo
The minister spoke at the inauguration of the new Lueji-a-Nkonde University campus in Dundo. Built on 19,000 square meters, the campus includes 87 classrooms with capacity for 3,200 students from the Schools of Economics and Law. The project was financed by Endiama, Angola’s state-owned diamond company.
