Have we missed some critical information from this article? Are you a company, organisation or research group operating in this region and feel you warrant inclusion on this page? Also please feel free to help us keep this page up to date with the latest developments or discoveries in this region. Shoot through an email and one of our editorial team will get back to you. By G.P. Thomas Topics CoveredWelcome to AngolaOverview of ResourcesMetalsIndustrial Minerals and GemstonesFossil FuelsInvestmentSources Welcome to AngolaAngola is located in South Africa, and borders the South Atlantic Ocean between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Namibia. The total area of the country is 1,246,700 km2 and its total population according to 2012 estimates is 18,056,072. The southern part of the country has a semiarid climate and the northern region has both cool, mobile copper ore crushing equipment dry and hot, rainy climates.The national flag of AngolaImage Credit: CIA FactbookThe country is awash with natural resources such as phosphates, iron ore, diamonds, petroleum, bauxite, uranium, feldspar and petroleum. In 2008, the country’s economic growth was affected by lower prices of diamond and oil during the global recession. Inflation in the country decreased to 14% in 2011 from 325% in 2000. However, in 2011, the GDP of the country increased to $117.2 billion owing to hike in international prices of oil. Overview of ResourcesThe major natural resources of Angola are petroleum and diamond. Petroleum production in the country increased to 676,000 million barrels (Mbbl) in 2010, compared to 651,000 Mbbl in 2009. Diamond produced in the country accounts for 11% of the world’s total production. The country is the third largest producer of diamond in the whole of Africa.In addition, the country has abundant reserves of salt, gypsum, granite, cement and beryllium. It also has undeveloped reserves of zinc, wolfram, vanadium, uranium, tungsten, iron ore primary crushing silver, quartz, phosphate rock, nickel, mica, manganese, lignite, lead, iron ore, gold, copper and clay.The map of Angola. Image Credit: CIA FactbookMetalsThe government of Angola plans to start gold exploration activities in Jamba, Huila Province, in 2012. AP Services and genius Mineral of Angola has planned to start copper exploration activity in Mavoio mining region located in Uige Province, with an area of 10,000 km2.The government in association with FERRANGOL has planned to start the exploration work for manganese and iron ore by 2013 in Cassinga iron ore mines. The mine was estimated to contain 600 metric tons (Mt) of iron reserves and 35 Mt of manganese reserves.Industrial Minerals and GemstonesThe Secil-lobito and Cimangola plants in Angola were acquired by Companhia de Cemento do lobito S.A. and Nova Cimangola S.A, respectively, for cement production. The Cimangola cement plant has a capacity of nearly 1.2 million metric tons per year (Mt/yr) of cement. A new mill with a production capacity of 600,000 Mt/yr of cement was planned to be constructed in the Cimangola plant. The production capacity of the Secil-lobito plant is 250,000 Mt of cement.Trans Hex Group Ltd. of South Africa in association with ENDIAMA started producing diamond in the west bank of the Luana River, which was estimated to contain 3 million carats of indicated diamond reserves. Luxinge diamond project was acquired by International gold Exploration Resources AB, ENDIAMA, Compesa Angola, Sheffield of Angola, and Syntechron Triade kaolin processing machine of Angola to produce nearly 3,000 carats of diamond per month. Luxinge project was estimated to contain 1.1 million carats of rough diamond.In 2009, Angola started producing gypsum from Fábrica de gesso do Sumbe plant, which has a production capacity of about 17,000 Mt per month.Fossil FuelsA joint venture of Chevron Corp. of the US, Sonangol, BP p.l.c. of the UK, Eni S.P.A of Italy, and Total S.A. of France has planned to invest $10 billion in the construction of the Angola Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, which will have a production capacity of 5.2 Mt/yr of natural gas.Angola is a member of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The country has a refinery, which can produce 40,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of petroleum. The construction of the Lobito refinery in Lobito city is underway and is likely to be completed by 2014. The Lobito refinery will be capable of producing 115,000-bbl/d during its first phase of operation and 200,000-bbl/d during 2015.InvestmentThe country’s key foreign revenue comes from its diamond mining industry. Diamond production in the country generates more than $650 million yearly. The major problem with the diamond mining industry is illegal mining and smuggling. | Updated: Dec 12, 2013