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Conference on Angolan Mining Industry

The 2nd Edition of the Angola Mining Conference, held on November 23rd and 24th at the Centro de  Convençoes de Talatona in Luanda, has proven to be a pivotal event for the mining industry in  Angola. The conference, organized by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas in  collaboration with AMETrade, and Bumbar Mining attracted key stakeholders, industry experts,  and government officials to discuss the critical issues shaping the future of mining in Angola. The conference theme “Mineral Resources, Development, Sustainability, and Challenges,” was framed within the Angolan Government’s economic diversification strategy outlined in the National  Development Plan (PDN) 2023-2027.  

This hybrid event combined face-to-face and online transmission and hosted 9 working sessions with  an impressive turnout: over 60 speakers, more than 450 delegates, 45 exhibitors,19 sponsors and  representation from 25 countries.  

The opening session featured a keynote address by Hon Dr. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, the  Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Gas of Angola, emphasizing the pivotal role of private entities in  the mining sector. The Hon. Minister Azevedo stressed the government’s responsibility to create a  conducive environment through attractive legislation, geological infrastructure development, and investment in human capital to support companies investing in the country. He also brought attention to the vital role mineral resources play in bolstering food security. 

A significant moment of the conference was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Angola and the United States. José Manuel, CEO of the Geological Institute of Angola  (IGEO), and Tulinabo S. Mushingi, U.S. Ambassador to Angola, representing the United States  Geological Survey (USGS), signed a protocol aiming to establish scientific cooperation. Under this protocol, the USGS will support Angola in mapping its mineral resources, contributing to the country becoming a crucial supplier for global energy transformation with the collective goal of attracting  more investments to Angola.  

Additionally, Jacinto Rocha, CEO of the National Agency of Mineral Resources (ANRM), and Marna  Cloete, President of the Ivanhoe Group Mines, signed three copper exploration contracts in Angola reinforcing the government’s comprehensive development goals for the mining sector.  

Key Themes and Topics:  

Angola’s Vision for Sustainable Development:  

The first key session, moderated by Jânio da Rosa Corrêa Victor, Secretary of State for Mineral  Resources, emphasis was placed on fostering increased collaboration within the mining sector  across the SADC region. The discussion centered on strategically leveraging resource gains to  strengthen and align mining companies, with the ultimate aim of maximizing regional advantages.  

Challenges of the International Diamond Market:  

The discussion on the continuous evolution of Angola’s diamond market served as a compelling 

illustration of the country’s advantageous positioning in diamond exploration. Concurrently, natural  diamond producers remain steadfast in their commitment to production, a key element for ensuring  stability within the sector. The technologically competitive stance of the Angolan mining sector was  

emphasized, highlighting a dedication to ongoing innovation in equipment. The discourse extended  to exploring opportunities within the sector, notably focusing on the Saurimo diamond hub.  Additionally, Angola’s potential to achieve a noteworthy milestone, reaching 17.5 million carats by  2027, was recognized. Given its status as a producer of natural diamonds, the paramount concern  remains on sustaining and enhancing production. It was also held that efforts must be intensified to  safeguard against synthetic diamonds replacing their natural counterparts.  

Social and Environmental Responsibility and Governance: An emphasis on SDG implementation,  commitment to standards, and the role of transparency programs like Transparency International’s  Global Mining and ITIE in reporting on environmental, transition, and corruption issues was made as  a means to strengthen its transparency in the mining industry. Attention was called on reporting on  environmental, transition, and corruption issues. Angola’s dedication to sustainability was stressed  through its voluntary accession to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a move  designed to reinforce transparency within the mining industry.  

Current State of Mining in Angola: Insights on funding and adherence to mining regulations were  shared and a call for aligning mining interests with environmental considerations to avert risks in  sensitive areas and protect local communities was also made. However, despite acknowledged  challenges, the conference affirmed that the evident advantages continue to position investments in  Angola’s mining sector as favourable, outweighing associated risks. This positive outlook signals  resilience and growth potential in Angola’s mining industry, fostering optimism for future  developments.  

Attracting Investment, Business Opportunities, and Sustainable Finance: Angola’s political stability,  strategic geographical location was highlighted. The ornamental rocks, good port infrastructure, and  government efforts were shown to create value and diversify into critical minerals.  

Sustainable Financing and Attracting Investment for Mining Projects: The conference held that  securing funds for investments in Angola relies on the collaborative vision of stakeholders,  emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. Strict adherence to regulations governing the  establishment of mining companies in Angola is deemed crucial to confirm and validate processes,  contributing to the enhancement of the country’s position in the sector.  

The 2nd Edition of the Angola Mining Conference was concluded by Dr. Jacinto Rocha, the CEO of  Angola’s National Mineral Resources Agency. During the closing session, he highlighted internal  priorities such as economic growth, job creation, and expanding the tax base in the Angolan mining  sector. Dr. Rocha emphasized the crucial role of agrominerals in global food security and encouraged  investors to explore opportunities across all mineral segments, recognizing challenges and the rise of  synthetic diamonds. He also underscored the importance of international cooperation, legislative  reform, and environmental responsibility to enhance the attractiveness of the SADC market.  

Despite acknowledged challenges, the prevailing observation asserts that the benefits of investing in  Angola continue to outweigh the associated risks, presenting a compelling case for sustained  investment in the country’s mining landscape. The Angola Mining Conference has reaffirmed its  position as a premier platform for networking, high-quality content, and business meetings, building  on the success of its inaugural edition in 2019. 

With the generous support of our Lead Sponsor CATOCA, and our esteemed sponsors including  Diamond Sponsor Sodiam E.P, Platinum Sponsor ANRM, Gold Sponsor HM Group, and Silver  Sponsors Lipari Diamond Mines Ltd and Tchitengo Mining, Sociedade Mineira do Furi, Tosyali  Angola, Maqman, MAQTOOLS, cimertex Angola, as well as Bronze Sponsors Minbos Resource and  Associate Sponsors Sonangalp, Tyranna Resources, Ozango Minerais S.A., Nossa Seguros, and  Institutional Sponsors ANPG, Endiama, and Sonangol. 

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