Saudi Arabia’s Taaden Replaces Alrosa in Angola’s Diamond Sector

The exit of Russian diamond company Alrosa from Angola’s Catoca and Luele mines was officially finalized on Monday through the signing of three agreements between Endiama, Angola’s national diamond company, and Taaden, a state-owned mining company from Saudi Arabia. Endiama Chairman José Ganga Júnior explained that Alrosa’s departure was driven by operational difficulties stemming from sanctions imposed on Russia. Over the past 15 months, efforts were made to secure a viable solution for Catoca and

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Pancontinental Invests Over $5M in Namibia’s PEL 87 Exploration

Pancontinental has invested more than $5 million in the exploration of PEL 87 in Namibia’s Orange Basin during the first licence period. Awarded in early 2018, PEL 87 is a joint venture permit covering 10,970 km², with an eight-year exploration term divided into three periods, plus possible extensions. It can be converted into a production licence under pre-agreed terms. The permit is currently in its first additional exploration phase. Located on-trend with major hydrocarbon discoveries

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Afentra in Talks to Acquire Angolan Oil Blocks from Etu Energias

Afentra plc has confirmed ongoing negotiations to acquire interests in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A from Etu Energias, though a final agreement is not yet guaranteed. The company intends to finance the acquisition using existing cash reserves, pending regulatory and government approvals. In collaboration with Sonangol and joint venture partners, Afentra is developing a strategic plan to boost production, expand reserves, and maximize asset value in these blocks. As an upstream oil and gas company, Afentra

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TAGS & Sodiam Sell $15.4M in Rough Diamonds at 2025 Luanda Tender

Trans Atlantic Gem Sales (TAGS) and Angola’s state-owned diamond trader, Sodiam, successfully sold more than $15.4 million worth of large rough diamonds at their first tender of the year. The sale, held from March 5 to 13 in Luanda, featured 36 diamonds over 10 carats, including seven stones exceeding 60 carats. Approximately 95% of the goods found buyers. TAGS, which markets production from seven Angolan mines—Lulo, Tchegi, Somiluana, Kaixepa, Chitotolo, Catoca, and Luele—saw contributions from

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Botswana Government Halts Progress on HB Antwerp Diamond Deal

Botswana’s plan to acquire a 24% stake in Belgian gem trader HB Antwerp, initially proposed by the previous government, remains uncertain. The deal, announced in March 2023 by former President Mokgweetsi Masisi, was intended to challenge Botswana’s long-standing partnership with De Beers by allowing State-owned Okavango Diamond Company to receive polished rather than rough prices for some of its sales. However, the agreement was never finalized. “They were still conducting due diligence and never closed

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Gem Diamonds Boosts Profitability Amid Market Challenges

Despite a tough diamond market in 2024, London-listed Gem Diamonds delivered strong financial results, driven by cost containment, operational efficiencies, and strategic capital allocation, CEO Clifford Elphick reported. Global economic uncertainty, persistent inflation, and geopolitical tensions weighed on diamond prices throughout the year. However, Gem Diamonds achieved a 10% revenue increase, reaching $154.2 million, primarily due to the sale of 13 diamonds exceeding 100 carats each. Cost-cutting measures contributed to a 95% surge in EBITDA,

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Botswana Diamonds Expands Exploration with 11 New Prospecting Licences

AIM-listed Botswana Diamonds has applied for 11 prospecting licences in Botswana, targeting copper, silver, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc, and platinum group metals. This move follows the company’s AI-driven exploration programme, which initially focused on diamonds but uncovered hidden polymetallic deposits across the country. The nationwide AI exploration initiative began with a focus on diamonds. However, during data analysis, it became evident that the technology could also identify undiscovered polymetallic targets. “Our analysis has revealed a

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Sonangol Reaffirms Ownership and Transparency of Barra do Dande Ocean Terminal

Sonangol has reaffirmed its exclusive ownership of the Barra do Dande Ocean Terminal (TOBD) and emphasized the transparency of its management, aiming to address recent claims regarding alleged overpricing in the terminal’s construction and concerns about its ownership being registered in favor of a private entity, Enagol. In a statement released Thursday, Sonangol clarified that the TOBD is a strategic asset under its sole ownership. “TOBD is a strategic asset owned exclusively by Sonangol, and

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Alrosa’s Profit Plunges Amid Sanctions and Weak Diamond Demand

Alrosa’s profit and revenue declined sharply in 2024, as sanctions on Russian diamonds and weak market demand weighed on its financial performance. The company reported a profit of RUB 19.25 billion ($215.3 million) for the year, a steep drop from RUB 85.18 billion ($952.8 million) in 2023. Revenue fell 26% to RUB 239.07 billion ($2.67 billion). Beyond reduced consumer demand due to sanctions, Alrosa recorded a RUB 4.98 billion ($55.6 million) impairment on property, plant,

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Lucapa Diamond Company Narrows Losses Despite Market Challenges

Lucapa Diamond Company reported a net loss of $1.5 million for 2024, significantly improving from its $17.2 million loss in 2023. The company attributed the decline to lower diamond prices, production disruptions, and challenging market conditions. Lucapa’s annual revenue dropped 31% to $54.5 million, reflecting a weaker pricing environment. Operations at the Lulo mine in Angola were impacted by flooding, while geopolitical and economic uncertainties further pressured diamond prices. The company also faced infrastructure challenges,

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