The kimberlite (diamond matrix rock) from the Luele project, located in the northeast of Angola, Lunda Sul province, was discovered in November 2013, during geological research by Sociedade Mineira de Catoca, according to information provided by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET).
Preliminary studies of the geological potential indicate that the Luele kimberlite, 600 meters deep, in an area of 105 hectares, contains an amount of ore of 647 million tons, which will result in 628 million carats during the 60-year useful life of the mine.
So far, 635 million dollars have been invested by Sociedade Mineira do Luele, in which Catoca has a 50.5 percent stake, the state-owned diamond company Endiama, 25 percent, Falcon, 19.5 percent, Reform, 4.0 percent, and the Geological Institute of Angola (IGEO), 1 percent.
This Monday, at the inauguration, the responsible minister, Diamantino Azevedo, addressed Angola's diamond industry in the international context, highlighting the return to the country of the multinational De Beers and, for the first time, the global mining giant Rio Tinto, "which, in addition to diamonds, is looking at the opportunity to make investments in prospecting for other minerals".
"Today, we are carrying out this act that marks the beginning of operations of Sociedade Mineira do Luele. The production of this mine will contribute to a significant increase in diamond production in Angola", he highlighted.
The Minister of Mineral Resources also spoke about the Saurimo Diamond Development Hub, where cutting factories were installed, with eight factories now in the country where 673 young Angolans work.
