The Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, informed that they addressed the "need for joint work in the field" in terms of diamonds.
"We had a meeting with His Excellency the President of Botswana who visited our stand. We talked a bit and talked about our need to work together in the field, specifically in terms of diamonds. We will give President João Lourenço a note about the meeting and the that the President of Botswana asked us to do together in the near future", said Diamantino Azevedo, quoted in a note made available on the guardianship's Facebook.
The official also made it known that he has had several meetings with institutions linked to the mining sector: "The objective is to attract mining investors in Angola and, therefore, we have several meetings with mining companies and institutions that finance the mining sector and we also hope to have successes. We came because of the mining sector in general and we are concerned with publicizing the entire mining sector in Angola".
Minister calls for investment in the Angolan mining sector
On the first day of the event, which marked 'Angola Day', the head of the Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas portfolio called for investment in the Angolan mining sector.
After the opening of Indaba, the country organized a forum that served to show the geological and mining potential, the mining situation in Angola, the diamond industry, among others.
On the occasion, Diamantino Azevedo said that the "meeting represents the aspiration to restore the necessary confidence in mineral development" which continues to play a fundamental role in Angola's economy.
"We recognize the role of private investors and I believe that by participating in this forum you are in the right place," he added.
Cited in another note from the ministry, the minister also stressed that the country, in the last five years, has taken concrete steps to transform the mining industry into one of the most attractive areas of the country's economy.
"We are now reaping the benefits of regulatory and institutional changes," he indicated.
He also added that "certainty, transparency and improved efficiency are the hallmarks of good regulation and this will guide any further reforms we make."
"Very soon, Angola will become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative", he informed, noting that as a result of this opening, Angola has AngloAmerican, De Beers, Rio Tinto and other companies such as Penzana and Tosyali, as part of the minerals industry.
He further clarified that the Government decided "not to get directly involved in the management of mining businesses", given that in the country "the management of companies is reserved for the private sector".
Finally, he left an appeal for investment in the country: "Come and invest in the Angolan mining sector".
"I would like to invite all investors in this Forum to come forward and join us as we rebuild and grow the mining sector. I know that many of you will have exchanges with other participants on the sidelines of this Forum, but 'rest assured' that the team from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas is ready to receive them in Angola", he added.
Remember that 'Indaba Mining' runs until 12 May in Cape Town, South Africa.
