The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas is honoured to organise the second Angola International Diamond Conference (AIDC) from Wednesday, October 23rd to Thursday, October 24th, 2024, in Saurimo, the capital of Lunda Sul Province.

The inaugural Angola International Diamond Conference took place in November 2021. Now, three years later, the Ministry is once again bringing together experts and industry players to offer an opportunity for companies and stakeholders in the Angolan diamond industry to share experiences and establish new connections.

The Saurimo Diamond Hub will again be the venue for the II Angola International Diamond Conference. The Hub integrates all diamond industry actors, including both public and private sector players, under one roof. "With an industrial area comprising factories, processing facilities, and multi-sector offices, the Hub is committed to increasing cutting capacity, enhancing the country’s diamond value chain," Minister Azevedo explained.

The event will also promote further the Angolan diamond sector, as it is a strategic mineral for the diversification of the national economy.

"Now that the Luele concession is reaching normal production capacity, Angola will soon effectively be doubling the country's annual output and generating significant added value in terms of state revenue," noted Minister Azevedo.

The Luele mine is located roughly 20 km from the Catoca mine representing one of the most promising diamond deposits discovered in over a decade. Luele's resources contain an estimated 628 million carats of diamonds with a life-time of 60 years.

The Angola International Diamond Conference 2024 is scheduled to analyse several important topics related to: geological mining research, diamond exploration in Angola, diamond polishing, technological innovation, logistics in the industry and in the semi-industrial sector.

It will also tackle the Kimberley Process and the G7 developments on Russian sanctions. On this topic – which is vital for African producing countries – there will be a panel discussion on the G7 Certification Scheme featuring industry players from the European Union, World Diamond Council, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Bharat Diamond Bourse, Sarine Technologies and Kimberley Process Angola.

The two-day conference will therefore also welcome Ministers of Mines from key African diamond-producing nations. In addition, industry experts supporting the Republic of Angola’s journey towards diversification, integration, and overall economic growth will be addressing the audience on the most current issues the market is facing.

Special attention will also go to the role of natural diamonds in the market versus synthetics and representatives of the Natural Diamond Council will be invited to address the uniqueness of natural diamonds as well as the campaigns being organised to motivate consumers around the world on the social responsibility and sustainability in the natural diamond industry.

Last but not least, the conference will host exhibitions on geological information, mining operations, mining equipment and support services to the mining industry and jewellery.

"The conference aims to provide opportunities to further build relationships between companies and the government, focusing on fuelling dynamic discussions that stimulate technological innovation and growth," added Minister Azevedo.