Impact of secondary rock-breaking equipment availability on mining plan in block cave mining

Abstract

In 2018, the Angolan economy was ranked the third largest in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria and South Africa. This performance is mainly driven by oil production, which represents 50% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, 95% of its exports, and more than 70% of government revenue, while diamonds represent only 5% of Angola’s exports. The Angolan Government has already invested US$ 260 million into the National Geology Plan (PLANAGEO), which concluded the geophysical aerial survey of the country’s mineral and geological potential in October 2023, putting the country in a better position for future investment. According to the African Diamond Council, it was reported in the Kimberley Process Certification System Statistics in 2021 that the diamond industry in Angola represented almost 1.2 billion Euros, with the contribution to the Gross Domestic Products at 1.6%, making Angolan diamonds the second most important export commodity. The socio-economic impact of the diamond sector has improved from 2016 to 2022, of which a value of US$ 29.58 million was contributed to the areas of education, health, sport, environment, culture, et cetera in local and surrounding communities through the Brilhante Foundation. The diamond mining industry in Angola was regulated by the Diamond Law enacted in 1994. Presently, Angola’s mining industry is subject to state regulation stipulated in the Angolan constitution—Law No. 31/11 of September 2011 (the Mining Code)—and various additional statutory and regulatory acts. In the past five years, under the newly appointed government of 2017, the 2018 Mining Code was amended. This report aimed to investigate whether Angola had fully developed its diamond mining sector to maximise revenue from the industry while also iv attracting more investors and generating socio-economic benefits for everyone, including its citizens. The methodology used in this research was a qualitative research approach. This involved the collection of primary data by interviewing experts in the diamond mining industry, and secondary data that relied on desktop studies of published and unpublished data from books, journals, abstracts, statistical data, and reports from the government gazette. The research findings unequivocally affirmed a positive response to this inquiry. The construction of the Saurimo Diamond Pole in the Lunda Sul Province—featuring seven fully operational polishing factories including Kothari, Stardiam, Kapu Gems, and the KGK factory—has generated employment opportunities and had a positive socio-economic impact within the region. The CEFOLAD Diamond training centre is currently equipping Angolan citizens with the necessary skills and tools to make meaningful contributions to the growth and sustainability of future generations. Angola is the sixth-largest diamond producer globally and is known for its high-quality gemstones. The annual production of rough diamond exports in Angola was 9.396 million carats, with an average of US$ 163 per carat and a gross revenue of US$ 1.56 billion in 2023. The Angola diamond industry employed 200 000 individuals in 2020. The Luele mine was inaugurated on November 10, 2023, in Lunda Sul Province, Angola, and it is expected to contribute an additional 5–7 million carats to the annual diamond sector. The mine currently employs 1 300 Angolan nationals. Based on the findings of this report, it is recommended that more geological investigation needs to be done in areas with visible geological potential in order to enhance and find new deposits which will eventually increase diamond production.