Africa-Press – Angola. A Strategic Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting the diamond sector was signed this Tuesday, in Cape Town, between the National Mineral Resources Agency (ANRN), Endiama and Sodiam with the multinational De Beers.
The memorandum, signed in the presence of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, aims to increase diamond production, grow alluvial diamond mining and improve opportunities for social development, for the benefit of national citizens.
The agreement established four main areas, to be shared by the parties, namely reviewing a series of existing kimberlite deposits to reassess their economic attractiveness through the potential application of new technologies, identifying opportunities to grow the mining sector of alluvial diamonds in Angola, considering the application of De Beers’ solutions and learnings in promoting transparency and traceability of diamond production in this sector.
It also includes working together to promote Angolan diamonds and an environment that will allow all parts of the diamond value chain to be established or strengthened in Angola and identifying opportunities to develop the capacity of the local community to adopt improved approaches to sustainability and social development, leveraging the De Beers Group’s Building Forever sustainability framework wherever possible.
The chairman of the Executive Board of De Beers, Al Cook, considered, on the occasion, that Angola continues to set an example as a country that has reformed its perspectives through greater transparency, the adoption of internationally recognized best practices and an environment of business-friendly investment.
“I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Angola, leveraging our collective experience and ambition to support a thriving diamond sector” he declared, adding that “returning to Angola in 2022 was a significant step for De Beers and we see a bright future in the country”.
For Endiama’s CEO, Ganga Júnior, this is a strategic partnership with the aim of increasing diamond production in Angola and contributing to the country’s socioeconomic development.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the business forum, promoted by the Angolan delegation participating in the Mining Indaba 2024 conference, in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding expands the De Beers Group’s partnership with Angola following the signing of two Mineral Investment Contracts (MICs) in 2022 for licensed areas in northeast Angola, where exploration activities are currently underway.
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