De Beers and Endiama Discover New Kimberlite Field in Angola, Boosting Diamond Potential
The Angolan Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, has confirmed the return of De Beers to Angola, highlighting the discovery of a new kimberlite field in partnership with Endiama, the national diamond company.
The announcement was made in Saurimo during the inauguration of the Polytechnic Institute of Lueji A’Nkonde University.
Minister Azevedo noted that the South African mining giant’s renewed presence in Angola is already yielding results, with the joint venture uncovering a kimberlite body in the Mukonda concession, located in Lunda Sul.
According to the minister, the breakthrough—achieved from the first well drilled into high-priority targets—may signal the emergence of a new kimberlite province.
He emphasized that the discovery reinforces Angola’s geological diamond potential and the strategic value of the De Beers-Endiama partnership.
De Beers confirmed on Tuesday that this marks its first kimberlite discovery in Angola in over 30 years. T
he company announced that further drilling, ground-based geophysical surveys, and laboratory analyses will be conducted in the coming months to confirm the kimberlite type and assess its diamond yield.
“In July 2025, the De Beers-Endiama joint venture successfully intercepted kimberlite during its first drilling campaign in high-priority targets identified through aerial surveys completed in March 2025,” the company stated.
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, praised Angola as “one of the best places on the planet to search for diamonds.” He commended President João Lourenço and the Angolan government for fostering a transparent, internationally aligned, and business-friendly environment that enabled De Beers’ return.
Lunda Sul: Angola’s Diamond Hub
In his speech, Minister Azevedo highlighted Lunda Sul as a key diamond-producing province, home to two of Angola’s largest operations: the Catoca Mining Company and the Luele Mining Company, which together employ more than 7,000 workers.
Over the past two years, Lunda Sul has produced an average of 10 million carats annually, accounting for nearly 87% of national output.
Despite challenges faced by the diamond sector—including sanctions on Russian partner Alrosa and downward pressure on prices from synthetic diamonds—Angola’s production reached a record 14 million carats in 2024, surpassing nine million carats for the first time.
He also recalled the 2023 inauguration of the Luele Mining Company, a project estimated to hold more than 600 million carats of diamond resources.
Recognized as one of the largest diamond ventures launched globally in recent years, the mine represents a milestone for Angola’s mining industry.
Minister Azevedo stressed the importance of human capital development, pointing to the newly inaugurated Polytechnic Institute of Lueji A’Nkonde University as a cornerstone of specialized technical training for Angola’s youth.
Built over 32 months in Saurimo, the provincial capital of Lunda Sul, the institute cost the Angolan state USD 47.4 million.
It is designed to serve over 5,400 students across three shifts, strengthening Angola’s educational and professional capacity in key technical fields.
