According to Expansão, the beginning of activity in this reserve, located in the municipality of Longonjo, will position the country in the fight for a place among the largest producers of this type of minerals.
China dominated the market: by 2020, more than half of the world's rare earth production was represented by China. In second place were the United States of America (USA). That year, according to Statista data, cited by Expansão, it accounted for about 15 percent of worldwide production.
Thus, Angola may come to occupy a small share in the production of rare earths in world terms. According to Expansão, with the start of operations in the "Rare Earths" of Longonjo, the country could guarantee around five percent of the world production of these valuable ores, which have more demand than supply.
The company Ozango Minerais, quoted by Expansão, says that, although covid-19 has caused some constraints, it is confident, predicting the start of operations for the second half of next year.
Huambo's "Rare Earths" have about 17 types of rare minerals – Cério, Neodymium, Lanthanium, among others – considered to be very valuable for assuming themselves as raw material in the manufacture of technology devices. Due to their ability to drive heat, electricity, among other characteristics, these minerals are used in the production of mobile phones, hybrid cars, among others.