Local Diamond Processing Grows by 150 Percent in Angola

Lunda-sul: The volume of rough diamonds retained for local processing in Angola increased by 150%, rising from 25,000 to more than 62,000 carats cut and polished between 2021 and 2025, Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo said. The minister was speaking on Saturday in Lunda-Sul province at the inauguration of the Diarough diamond-cutting and polishing plant, located at the Muangueji Diamond Development Hub. According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister explained that SODIAM had introduced policies to promote diamond cutting and polishing activities, guaranteeing a strategic quota equivalent to 20% of national rough diamond production to ensure a regular supply to local factories, supported by attractive tax incentives. Under the National Development Plan (PDN 2023-2027) and the Mineral Resources Sector Development Plan, the institution had identified the development and modernisation of geological and mining activities as a priority, he said. He reiterated that the objective w as to promote the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources, diversify the economy, create more skilled employment and strengthen local content. He said the achievement had been made possible by far-reaching structural reforms undertaken by the Angolan Government, including the implementation of a new sector governance model, new diamond marketing policies and the establishment of a high-standard industrial ecosystem at the Muangueji Diamond Development Hub. He stressed that the most valuable asset to be cut and polished at the new facility was not the diamond itself, but human capital and the transfer of expertise. Diamantino Azevedo encouraged the young people who had secured their first jobs, most of them from Lunda-Sul province, to demonstrate greater commitment, dedication, discipline and professionalism, noting that they would soon master precision-cutting technologies, ensuring an effective transfer of technological knowledge. He said the development directly supported the objectives of the Long- Term Development Strategy - Angola 2050, which includes the National Development Plan (PDN 2023-2027) as one of its supporting programmes, and contributed to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The current situation demonstrated that Angola's mining industry was advancing alongside social responsibility, equal opportunities and environmental sustainability, he added. Diarough is now the sixth processing plant operating at the Muangueji Diamond Development Hub, joining KGK, Kapu, Stardiam, Robust and Pollarus. The multinational company, headquartered in Belgium, operates across four continents and is regarded as a global leader in precision cutting of luxury jewellery through its Uni-Design subsidiary. It is also a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council.