The Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Snio Victor called for a rigorous assessment of the sector to materialise the country’s mining potential, which is estimated to include more than 40 million carats of diamond reserves.
peaking Monday in Luanda at the opening of the workshop on Evaluation and Classification of Mineral Resources and Reserves, the minister stressed that this is the right way to make the mining industry stronger, contributing solidly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He explained that the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, within the scope of the National Development Plan (PDN 2023-2027), has been committed to structuring programs and developing actions that aim to contribute to the diversification of the national economy.
Among the main objectives of the NDP, he continued, is the promotion of sustainability and innovation in the sector, essential foundations for the consolidation of a consistent and responsible mining industry.
He considered that the motto of the wor
kshop ‘accurate assessment, transparent mining’ highlights not only the importance of the meeting, but also the mission that everyone must embrace, as professionals and stakeholders, at different levels, in the sector in question.
According to the Secretary of State, the Angolan mining industry is experiencing a moment of significant growth and affirmation, making the issues of transparency and compliance in its operations a pressing need, adjusted to the requirements of international ‘good practices’ and better adaptation to the domestic legal landscape.
‘In view of this situation, in 2022 we joined the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and we have been periodically presenting these reports, which are available to the public,’ he stressed.
In turn, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Endiama-E.P, Ganga Júnior, highlighted the importance of the event for the sector, allowing all mining planning to be carried out, from technical and economic projects, feasibility studies to the mining
operation phase.
He mentioned some challenges that have been seen in recent years, linked to the growing increase in the commercialization and manufacture of synthetic diamonds.
‘Unfortunately, for those of us who deal with natural diamonds, it’s a challenge. We are indeed attentive to this. We are even working for an international organization, a council, an association of natural diamonds,’ he explained.
Regarding production, he made it known that it should be around 14 million carats. ‘Indicatively. We won’t be too far away.’
The workshop aimed to deepen the understanding of the guidelines of international standards for the evaluation and classification of resources and reserves, as well as to explore the possibility of creating a national task force.
It also aimed to promote the training of Angolan professionals to ‘Competent Persons’, that is, qualified and experienced workers who have the knowledge, training and technical experience necessary for the declaration, evaluation and classification of Mi
neral Resources and Reserves and the signing of International Reports.
The workshop is part of the dynamics of the second International Diamond Conference (AIDC-2024), taking place on the 23rd and 24th of this month, in Saurimo, Lunda Sul province.
It is a unique opportunity to learn about and discuss various technical aspects of the classification of mineral resources and reserves, as well as to deepen knowledge and understanding in the field of international best practices, especially the standards established by the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (
Source: Angola Press News Agency