A delegation of senior staff and executives from ENDIAMA-E.P., led by the chairman of the board, Ganga Júnior, along with directors Ana Feijó, Laureano Receado Paulo, and Teófilo Chifunga, as well as company directors, recently visited the “Venetia Diamond Mine,” located in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and operated by De Beers.

The aim of the visit was to exchange experiences and deepen knowledge on underground mining, assess best practices, and review applied technologies, with the goal of implementing this mining model in Angola’s diamond sector in the near future.

During the visit, the delegation closely observed the mine’s operations, including the shaft infrastructure, methods used for transporting ore, and technological innovations applied to underground extraction.

The exchange of experiences will allow ENDIAMA to assess the best practices and technologies in underground mining, contributing to the future implementation of this model in Angola’s diamond sector.

The Venetia Mine, inaugurated in 1992, initially operated as an open-pit mine. De Beers invested approximately $2.3 billion in transitioning to an underground model, ensuring the continuation of production until at least 2045. The first underground diamond production was announced in July 2023.

It is one of the world’s most advanced underground projects, incorporating automated technologies, state-of-the-art ventilation systems, and highly mechanised extraction methods.