Luanda — The Ministry of Geology and Mining intends to turn Angola into a mining powerhouse capable to respond to the country demand and Africa's challenges.

This was said to Angop on Friday in Luanda by the incumbent minister, Francisco Queiroz, during year-end greeting ceremony.

Francisco Queiroz said that this is possible because the country has this potential, calling for the need of turning it into reality, but this require staff.

"We need to diversify the mining exploration that is mainly focused on diamonds, extend the positive experience of the diamond sub-sector to other sectors, said the minister.

The minister also spoke of the need to find a mechanism of supporting and boosting the national private entrepreneurship.

The official said that the mining resources will have to compete and there will be much growth.

So, the minister said that the foreigners will have to come and take care of the sector or we internally get ready to support the national private business.

He also said that the ministry is concerned about the finding of a financial mechanism to support and finance mining projects.