Africa-Press – Angola. The Luele diamond project, located on the bank of the river with the same name, in the commune of Luaxe, 37 kilometers from the capital city, will be inaugurated today by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
The mining initiative, with a depth of 95 meters, has a volume of 34 million mining masses, with prospecting activities beginning between 2012 and 2017. In 2013, the potential was confirmed.
With the start of the mine, a boost is expected in the Executive’s challenges with the focus on agrominerals, increasing diamond production levels, but also the collection of revenue for the State’s coffers and, through this, the creation of jobs.
The size of the Luele mine is two or three times larger than that of Catoca, and the start-up should mobilize, in this initial phase, 1200 workers, which should later be extended to the target of 5000.
The mine will be explored up to 600 meters deep, and given its proximity to the Luele River, the exploration process will probably be constrained by hydrogeological problems. As a result, pumping systems suck the water for decantation and subsequent return to the river.
The project also has a power plant designed to have twice the capacity of Catoca. To release the volume of ore explored, the Luele mine will have to rely on services from Catoca.
Finding
On Sunday, a group of journalists were able to maintain contact with the extension of the mine, having received explanations, on site, about the grandeur of the project.
From inside the project, it is possible to see the huge excavation carried out in the engineers’ work area, in a type of authentic open-air bathtub, installed in an area surrounded by trees, predominantly mango trees.
After arriving at the Luele mine, probably by helicopter, the Head of State will disembark at the heliport installed on site and will be taken to the Miradouro area, from where he will observe the work in the mine, at the same time that he will receive precise explanations from the technicians about characteristics and production process.
Before that, João Lourenço will unveil the inauguration plaque for the diamond project, in what is the most anticipated moment of the ceremony.
The President of the Republic will visit three observation points, and in the second stage of the visit, he will watch a video about the history of the mine, from prospecting in 2012 to the 50 meter excavation period, the phase where the ore begins ( gravel).
In the final stage, you will head to the factory area, where you will have contact with the technological process of diamond extraction.
Social responsability
As expected, the gigantic Luele diamond project brings with it several benefits for the Luaxe community. In the field of Social Responsibility, the project plans to build 300 social houses for the resettlement of communities located in the neighborhood.
The project includes a medical post, community center, police station, shops, school and garden, and the community will also have community farming. To this end, two tractors were made available and technical support is guaranteed.
The mine will become an important contributor to diamond production in the country and, at the same time, will offer a great boost to economic growth and, therefore, to improving the quality of life of local populations.
Bet on agrominerals
The entry into operation of the Luele diamond project greatly reinforces the Executive’s commitment to agrominerals. As proof of this, for this year, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas (MIREMPET) expects to close with a gross revenue of around 12.41 million carats.
The value in question was recently disclosed to the press by the national director of Mineral Resources, Paulo Tanganha, at the time of the presentation of achievements on the production, marketing and exports of diamonds.
This value, which represents less than 37 percent compared to the previous period, results from the sale of approximately 2 million and 933 thousand carats of diamonds at an average price of 202.61 dollars per carat. During the first half of this year, around 4 million and 93 thousand carats of diamonds were recovered, mostly from industrial exploration activities.
Compared to the same period in 2022, the official said that there was a decrease in the number of carats recovered, of approximately 3.9 percent.
Among Angolan companies, the highlight is Sociedade Mineira de Catoca, reflected in diamond production of around 67%. In other words, the production of the largest diamond company in the country reached a figure of 6.4 million carats, produced in six months across the country. In turn, Sodiam (public company with exclusivity in the export of Angolan diamonds) declared in the first two semesters an income of 21.7 million dollars, with the sale of 1,206, 91 carats, resulting from the sixth auction of special diamond stones gross, carried out last May. The lot for sale, with 36 stones in total, included special stones of over 10.80 carats from Lulo’s production; seven from Mina de Catoca, two stones from Luminas; one from Chitotolo, one stone from Uari, one from Lunhinga, 19 special stones from Kaxiepa and one special stone from Cooperativa Moquita.
As for exports, the information available shows that they totaled around 4 million and 66 thousand carats, making a gross value of approximately 711 million and 738 thousand US dollars.
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