Luanda: The Luele Mining Company has set an ambitious target to produce nine million carats of diamonds by 2026, marking a 43% increase from its projected output for 2025, according to R³mulo Mucase, the executive administrator of the company. Mucase made this announcement during the company's end-of-year greetings ceremony, highlighting the company's strategic plans despite the downturn in diamond market prices.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Mucase emphasized the company's dedication to completing the community resettlement process while advancing the certification of the ISO 37301 standard, which pertains to the Compliance Management System. This commitment underscores Luele's focus on responsible mining practices and the sustainable economic growth of Angola. The company is also committed to maintaining high standards in environmental, social, and governance care.
Mucase recounted the positive and structural achievements of the past year, reinforcing Luele's position as a key player in Angola's diamond sector. He highlighted the progress made in geological and mining operations, which were carried out in alignment with established plans and reached a satisfactory level of compliance with main production indicators. This included key activities from overburden removal to diamond recovery.
The executive administrator also noted the significance of Luele's Integrated Management System (IMS) certification, which aligns with international best practices. This certification encompasses ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) standards, thereby enhancing the credibility of Angola's national mining sector.
Significant technological investments were made, including advanced geological studies and the commissioning of a second mill set to boost production significantly in 2026. The renewal of the mining equipment fleet further underscores the company's commitment to enhancing operational efficiency.
Mucase also announced the construction of 350 homes and related social infrastructure, designed to benefit over 2,000 people. This project represents a major milestone in social transformation, with completion expected in the first half of 2026.
Employment creation was another highlight, with approximately 3,300 jobs, primarily filled by local youth, being generated. Mucase praised the company's compliance with tax obligations and encouraged employees to remain focused and dedicated to contributing positively to the company's and the country's development.
In terms of operational achievements, Luele had removed 47.7 million cubic meters of waste rock, extracted 8.1 million tons of ore, and recovered 11.7 million carats of diamonds by the end of 2024.
