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106
Energy & Mining
to begin gold exploration by 2012. In June, the Gov-
ernment announced that assessment of the gold
deposits was underway to determine the ore grade.
The assessment work is expected to be completed
by 2011.
In the past, the Maiombe region of Cabinda prov-
ince accounted for a large part of gold production
in Angola, mainly from small tributaries of the Luali
River in central Cabinda. The alluvial gold was as-
sociated with vein quartz in granite. There are other
alluvial gold deposits in Cuanza Norte, Huila and
Cunene Provinces.
COPPER
Prior to the 1960’s, copper used to rank second af-
ter diamonds in terms of value, with an estimated
production of 200,000 tons of high-grade copper
ore.
This commodity is widely spread on the coastal
plain (deposits of Cachoeiras and Loeto) and Tete-
lo-Mavoio in Uíge province, near the border with the
Democratic Republic of the Congo where explora-
tion on 10,000 km2 driven by Genius Mineral and
AP Services is expected to begin in 2011. Other
mineral occurrences within the region include lead,
zinc, calcite, iron, pyrite and sulfur. Another cop-
per mine is expected to start in 2012 in Menongue,
Cuando Cubango province under the management
of Geomineira that is also prospecting the areas of
Caiúndo and Luassenha.
IRON ORE
Most iron mined in the past in Angola came from the
Cassinga mine located in Jamba, Huíla province.
The mine produced 40 Mt of high-grade iron ore
(graded 50-60% Fe) between 1957 and 1975, with
6,1 Mt produced in 1974. Cassinga has remaining
reserves estimated at 34,2 Mt at 44% Fe and 1,000
MT at 30% Fe.
The Government, associated to Ferrangol pursues
efforts to redevelop the Cassinga iron ore mines.
In November 2010, the authorities announced its
plans to begin exploration for iron ore and manga-
nese (proven reserves of 35 Mt) by 2013. The Cas-
singa Mines include the Cassala-Kitungo deposits,
which has proven reserve of 194 Mt iron ore at 23-
33% Fe.
The rehabilitation of the former Moçâmedes railway
linking the Cassinga mine to the port of Namibe is
expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
CEMENT
In Angola, local production covers only 37% of the
needs and is produced by two companies.
Companhia de Cemento do Lobito S.A. (Secil-Lobito)
located in Benguela province with an annual capacity
of about 250,000 metric tons. A new plant which would
have a production capacity of about 500,000 tons per
year of clinker and about 650,000 tons per year of ce-
ment is under study.
Nova Cimangola S.A. (Cimangola) produces 1,2 million
metric tons per year of cement in its plant in Luanda.
The construction of a new mill will to increase the ca-
pacity to 1,8 metric tons by 2011.
GYPSUM
The production of gypsum started in 2009 in Fábrica
de Gesso do Sumbe, in Alto Chingo, Kwanza Sul prov-
ince. The manufacture has a production capacity of
about 17,000 metric tons per month of gypsum divided
in 3 lines:
10,000 tons crushed gypsum for cement manufacture
4,000 tons non-chemical soil additives for agricultural
sector
3,000 tons calcined gypsum for construction sector
Other industrial minerals include:
Decorative stones: good quality red and black gran-
ites mainly produced in Namibe and Huíla provinces
are produced for exports. Cristalline, quartz and mar-
ble have been identified in those areas. According to
US Mining Geological Survey , Angola produced 50
000 MT of granite in 2010. Other studies estimate
marble capacity at 5,000 MT.
Phosphates: substantial resources estimated over
200,000 MT have been found in Cabinda and Zaire
provinces and remain to be exploited.
Reserves of kaolin can be found in Bengo, Huíla, Bié
and Uíge provinces.
Total Pazflor FPSO