The LAR – Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium announced on Friday the successful shipment of its first copper load from the Port of Lobito to the United States. The copper was transported on the container ship MSC SAMU, marking a significant milestone since the consortium took over the Lobito Corridor concession in January 2024. Prior shipments have already been made to ports in Europe and the Far East. According to a statement from LAR, the copper
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, has called on national companies in the mineral exploration sector to invest in the global energy transition, emphasizing the need to address the country’s current and future challenges. During his visit to Cuanza-Sul, the minister highlighted the importance of exploiting natural resources sustainably to benefit the population. Regarding the ongoing ban on quartz and gypsum exploration, Minister Azevedo clarified that the government has established a
Between 2019 and 2024, Angola significantly expanded its diamond cutting industry by opening eight new cutting factories. These include the Stone Polished Diamond factories in Luanda, with a combined processing capacity of 24,000 carats per year, KGK (60,000 carats/year), and Pedra Rubra (60,000 carats/year). At the Saurimo Diamond Development Pole (PDDS), KGK opened additional factories with a capacity of 180,000 carats per year, alongside Stardiam (72,000 carats/year), Kapau Gems (54,000 carats/year), Pollaro (60,000 carats/year), and
Sociedade Mineira de Catoca, operating in Lunda-Sul, is actively working to sell its diamond production from March and April to ensure steady cash flow, despite a decline in international diamond prices. Engrácia João, Deputy General Director for Administration, shared these details during a press briefing in Dundo, Lunda-Norte. João noted that, like other operators, Catoca is grappling with less favorable market conditions, where diamond prices have dropped to between 35% and 50% below the expected
Brent crude oil began yesterday’s session on the London futures exchange with a slight increase, opening at $79.71 per barrel, up from $79.66 at the close of last Friday’s session. During the day’s trading, the price climbed to $80.45 per barrel. This upward trend suggests a positive week ahead, driven by strong global demand and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties that continue to influence oil prices. Although Brent is trading below the $100 mark predicted a few
Chevron, a major player in Angola’s oil sector with a 26% market share, has recently made significant strides to further solidify its presence in the country. In mid-June, the U.S.-based giant signed contracts for two license areas off the coast of Angola—Blocks 49 and 50, located in the ultra-deepwater section of the Lower Congo Basin. A few years ago, this deal would not have been possible. The National Oil, Gas, and Biofuels Agency (ANPG), the
On August 17, 2024, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, the outgoing Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), delivered a significant address at the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe. President Lourenço underscored the notable progress in industrialization, regional integration, and peacekeeping efforts, while also addressing the challenges that lie ahead. The summit brought together the region’s top leaders to reflect on achievements, tackle current issues,
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is providing a $1.6 billion direct loan to support the development of 65 solar mini-grids in Angola. The loan will benefit ING Capital, Sun Africa, and Omatapalo, which are involved in capital markets, clean energy, and construction, respectively. These solar mini-grids, equipped with energy storage facilities, will be deployed across four provinces in southern Angola. The project aims to provide off-grid solutions, improving access to electricity and
The Institute for Tourism Promotion (INFOTUR) plans to capitalize on the Lobito Corridor to enhance national tourism, announced the General Director, Lukeni Araújo, in Luanda. During the operation of the Rovos Rail luxury train this month, which travels between Lobito, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after originating in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a total of 124 tourists were transported—60 entering Angola and 64 leaving. Araújo emphasized that INFOTUR’s primary mission is to
ASX-listed Minbos Resources announced on Monday that the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund (Fundo Soberano de Angola, FSDEA) has approved a $10-million strategic investment in the company. This investment will support the construction of the Cabinda Phosphate Fertiliser Project (CPFP). FSDEA provided Minbos with written approval, detailing a $10-million investment at a price of either A$0.08 per share or the volume-weighted average price of Minbos shares for the ten days preceding the execution of the final
