Africa-Press – Angola. Angola intends to promote the value chain in the minerals sectors, creating all the infrastructure for private investors to set up cutting and refining factories for all explored material.
The intention was expressed by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, at the opening of the IX Consultative Council of his Ministerial Department, which takes place in the city of Cuito.
According to the government official, the idea is to do the same thing that already happens with diamonds, which has a Diamond Development Pole, in the city of Saurimo (Lunda Sul), which currently has nine cutting factories.
Like Saurimo, the minister said, it is also planned to establish, by 2027, a hub in Dundo, Lunda Norte province.
“The promotion of the value chain in the diamond sector is already beginning to take a satisfactory direction, which is allowing it to attract more investors”, he highlighted.
The governor highlighted that the same should happen with iron, ornamental rocks, gold and others.
As for gold, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo said there are several companies requesting licenses for exploration.
As a result, the sector has already started to build a refinery for this mineral, in Luanda, with the capacity to cut 25 kilograms of gold per day.
Approached the director of this project, Kimba Baptista, said that the works are at 80 percent of their physical execution, with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2025, with the aim of supporting producers.
The idea is to create conditions to also have refined Angolan gold and in this way develop the jewelry industry, with the specifications that the international market demands.
In Angola, gold is heavily explored in the provinces of Cabinda and Malanje, both with two mines each.
Although production is still not satisfactory, Kimba Baptista said that there are teams throughout the country committed to prospecting for more areas where this mineral may exist.
On the other hand, Minister Diamantino Pedro Azevedo warned that the exploration of diamonds or any other mineral resource must comply with established laws.
The idea is to ensure that the country continues to explore natural diamonds and not only without negative aspects, increasingly improving the quality of production, so that marketing abroad is easier.
He gave as an example of a large international jewelry company that does not buy Angolan diamonds, citing child labor, illegal immigration and non-compliance with environmental standards.
Bié appears fertile in rocks and minerals
The province of Bié, central Angola, appears fertile in rocks and other minerals for exploration, especially in the municipalities of Cuito, Andulo, Nharêa, Chitembo, Camacupa and Cuemba.
According to the governor of Bié, Pereira Alfredo, there are just over 20 different species in this part of the country, gold, diamond, ruby, bauxite, black tourmaline, chromite, clay, native iron, gneiss, muscovite mica, garnet, coaline, pink granite, amethyst quatzo, iron, basalt, limestone, calvita among others.
Accordingly, Pereira Alfredo said that the province is open to new investments, especially in the mining sector, which only has 18 registered cooperatives operating in the region, where only two produce on a large scale.
With this, he called for the need for companies to continue fulfilling their social responsibilities, in particular supporting projects linked to children’s well-being.
Scheduled to end Friday, the ninth meeting of the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas (MIREMPET) takes place under the motto “Fostering the value chains of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas for economic diversification and sustainable development”.
Topics are being debated with Main projects in the mineral resources sector for the period 2024-2027; Main projects in the oil and gas sector for the period 2024-2027; Presentation of the catalog of professions in the oil and gas sector; status of work relating to the mining sector and Presentation on the institute of industrial projects.
Participating in the event are the secretaries of the President of the Republic for the Productive Sector and Economic Affairs, the Secretary of State for Oil and Gas, presidents of the Boards of Directors and General Directors of Institutions supervised by MIREMPET, provincial and municipal directors for Economic Development Integrated, responsible for operating companies in the mining and oil sector.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
