ANGOLA Trends and Developments Contributed by: João Afonso Fialho, Marizeth Vicente and Lukeny Pascoal, VdA
mine, expected to meet 5% of global rare earth needs. Angola is also developing its mineral processing industry, exemplified by the Sau - rimo Diamond Development Hub, which aims to boost diamond production and process - ing, offering comprehensive infrastructure. In November 2023, Angola inaugurated the Luele mine, the country’s largest diamond project, expected to produce 628 million carats over 60 years. Additionally, plans for an Ornamental Stone Development Centre in Namibe province are under way. Regarding ferrous metals, the implementation of the mining component of the Kassinga Min - ing-Steel Project in Huíla province, the Kassala Kitungo iron ore project in Cuanza Norte, and the inauguration of the first pig iron production plant by the Cuchi Steel Company in Cuando Cubango province, which has completed its first export, is ongoing. As for copper and other non-ferrous metals, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Mavoio-Tetelo Copper Exploration Pro - ject in Uíge province and the signing of invest - ment contracts granting mining rights for copper prospecting in Moxico and Cuando Cubango provinces should be highlighted. Under the Pro - gramme for the Promotion of Agro-Minerals in Angola, phosphate exploration and the produc - tion of granulated phosphate rock fertilisers are under way in Cabinda, while projects for lime - stone prospecting and exploration have also been licensed in the province. The Lobito Corridor Railway Project, in Benguela province, is a strategic project that ultimately aims to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Indi - an Ocean, up to the ports of Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, and Cidade da Beira, in Mozambique. This project crosses several areas where mineral
operations take place, and is therefore regarded as being of fundamental importance for the sec - tor, and essential for exports and mineral sup - plies (internal and external) of goods and equip - ment to the mining industry. It was the main reason for outgoing US President Joe Biden’s trip to Angola at the end of 2024. Angola has established a partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in this trans - formative project, which will deepen Angola’s role as a regional logistics hub and boost trade not only with Zambia but with the rest of the world. The concession agreements for the financing, construction, ownership and operation of this mega railway project include the construction of an entirely new railway line, approximately 800km long, to connect the Benguela railway in Luacano, Angola, to the existing Zambia railway line in Chingola. The link between Angola and Zambia is considered one of the most important in southern Africa in terms of commerce, as it creates a trade corridor to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and promotes investments in agriculture, electricity, mining, healthcare and digital infrastructure. It represents the shortest route for exports and imports, connecting major mining regions, agricultural hubs and businesses in Zambia and the DRC to the port of Lobito, establishing it as a strategic route for exports from these two countries. Governance Angola’s admission as an implementing coun - try to the EITI, a voluntary international initiative that works to increase revenue transparency through the verification and disclosure of rev - enues paid to members of the government by extractive companies, is significant. According to the Angolan president, the government joined
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