Diamantino de Azevedo: “Angola could become the second largest diamond producer in the world”

Among events, audiences with managers of mining companies, mineral processors and investors, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas spoke this Thursday at the opening of the Conference of the World Federation of Diamond Exchanges, which takes place in the United Arab Emirates.

In front of the presidents of stock exchanges, managers of mining companies and several officials from the global mining industry, the Angolan official did not hesitate to put Angola at the center of attention.

"Angola is the next most important mining hub and attraction for mining investment, given its high potential, excellent business opportunities and a favorable tax regime", stated Diamantino de Azevedo.

Over the past ten years, he continued, "Angola has been the only place in the world where production has grown as a result of new discoveries of diamond deposits." In this way, he said, the country can become, by 2030, the world's second largest producer of rough diamonds.

The minister also reiterated that, after the reorganization of the mining sector and reformulation of the diamond marketing processes, "the country is engaged in the opening of its Diamond Exchange, to take place later this year 2022". Despite this being an event without a concrete date, the official invited all those present to visit Luanda for the inauguration.

The head of the Mineral Resources portfolio also recognized the role and importance of the World Federation of Diamond Exchanges, of which "Angola hopes to be a member", ending with a new call for investment in the Saurimo Diamond Development Hub.

MIREMPET makes "positive balance" of the workweek in Dubai

In a busy week of work across the United Arab Emirates, Diamantino de Azevedo began by participating and speaking at the Dubai Diamond Conference, on 21 February. The following day he chaired the Forum dedicated to presenting the Saurimo Diamond Development Pole and looking for investments and this Thursday he addressed the Conference of the World Federation of Diamond Exchanges.

In between these events, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas had the opportunity to meet Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers, with whom he discussed the world diamond market.

A statement made available by the ministry said that the minister said that there were regular contacts with the South African diamond company, and that a commission had even been created to negotiate the return of De Beers to Angola.

Just this week, the 23rd, the Angolan official visited three gold refineries in Dubai, as Angola returned to mining gold and the Government is attentive to the possibility of internal refining.

The balance of the week is positive: "We publicized more and felt, during the event and the audiences, the expression of interest to set up factories in the Pole and invest in other mineral resources in Angola", confirmed the official.