Africa-Press – Angola. Angola is set to become the first country in Africa to explore niobium after completing the prospecting of the mineral this year, which is used in the space industry, in the village of Bonga in the central province of Huila.
According to Quilengues municipal administrator Adriano Alberto Pedro, the exploration of the mineral will begin at the end of this year, following the completion of the relocation and compensation process for the more than 400 families living in the planned area.
Exploration work has allowed for the extraction of 40,000 tons of the mineral in a project led by the Chinese operator Niobonga with a total investment of 150 million U.S. dollars.
Pedro said the exploration could transform the region into a new benchmark for the national economy, positioning Angola among the select group of countries that exploit this rare, highly valuable mineral in the international market.
He said that all equipment and technical resources have been installed at Bonga and that a qualified workforce has been secured. He added that the concession covers approximately 400 square kilometers in the Bonga and Chivila mountains.
Pedro added that the contract was signed for a renewable 22-year term, which could extend to four decades of continuous exploration.
He emphasized that initial tests confirmed the quality of the ore, paving the way for production to begin this year. In addition to niobium, the area holds potential for extracting phosphate and iron.
According to the municipal manager, the project will generate new tax revenue for the state, create hundreds of jobs, and stimulate complementary activities such as service provision, commerce, and transportation.
The administrator explained that the concessionaire is committed to supporting structural projects in the communities where the municipal administration prioritizes sectors such as education, health, water, and roads.
He noted that although the relocation process has been one of the greatest challenges, more than 400 families have already received compensation amounting to two million kwanzas per household. He added that the process is in its final phase and consensus has been reached with the communities.
He emphasized that the municipality of Quilengues is about to become a significant economic center not only for the province of Huíla but also for Angola. He considers niobium exploration to be a potential turning point in the development of the country’s southern region.
Experts say the strategic mineral, classified as “critical,” is used to manufacture turbines, spacecraft, aircraft, electronics, and power plants.
Niobium is a strategic metal for various industries, especially for manufacturing high-strength alloys, superconductors, and components for the aerospace industry.
Its main characteristic is its high resistance to extreme temperatures, which makes it essential for aircraft and rocket construction and an important component in steel manufacturing.
Brazil currently ranks first among countries with the largest niobium reserves, with over 98.2% of the world’s known and mineable reserves, accumulating to almost 16.1 million tons, or 93% of global production.
Other countries with significant niobium reserves include Canada and Australia, which rank second and third, respectively.
Canada holds nearly 200,000 tons of niobium and accounts for about 6.7% of global production. Australia has smaller reserves but has also excelled in mining the metal.
Following Angola are Russia, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Mozambique, though these other African countries have not yet begun mining the mineral.
Quilengues, a municipality located 143 kilometers north of Lubango, the capital of Huíla Province, has an estimated population of 102,052.
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