The CEO of South African mining multinational De Beers, Al Cook, on Thursday in Luanda, considered Angola to be the best place in the world for diamond exploration.

Al Cook made these statements to the press after an audience with the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, at the Palácio da Cidade Alta, where the topic of conversation was the progress made by De Beers in the country.

The leader of De Beers, who is in Angola to take part in the 2nd Diamond Conference, said that this was the reason why the mining multinational had chosen the country to operate in.

The mining multinational is currently at an advanced stage of carrying out an aerial survey of the presence of diamonds in some regions of the country.

Al Cook said that this work has already led to the discovery of six potential Kimberlites (igneous rocks that may contain diamonds). “We believe that, when explored, they will be able to leverage the diamond industry in Angola,” said the businessman.

After this phase, De Beers will carry out geological studies to certify the presence of kimberlites in the country. “At this stage, we are carrying out exploration work, which could take one or two years,” said Al Cook, for whom, in the event of success, the De Beers mining multinational will make an investment of ‘billions and billions of dollars’. “This will make it possible to employ thousands of Angolans,” he said.

After this phase, De Beers will carry out geological studies to certify the presence of kimberlites in the country. “At this stage, we are carrying out exploration work, which could take one or two years,” said Al Cook, for whom, in the event of success, the De Beers mining multinational will make an investment of ‘billions and billions of dollars’. “This will make it possible to employ thousands of Angolans,” said the CEO of De Beers.

De Beers is the world’s leading diamond mining company, with expertise in the exploration, mining, grading, marketing and retailing of gems.

It employs more than 20,000 people across the global diamond pipeline , with many of these people in their home countries.

The company is active in all categories of the diamond mining industry, such as open pit, large-scale underground alluvial, deep sea or hillside. The company was founded by Cecil Rhodes, who was financed by Alfred Beit and Rothschild.

JA