Luanda — The National Diamond Company of Angola (Endiama) will, in the first half of 2013, start its production at the Calonda alluvial mina (Lunda Norte province) and with the first alluvium being mined in Lunda Sul province, at the Tchege mine, the CEO of the firm, Carlos Sumbula, announced on Monday in Luanda.

Speaking at the usual year-end greetings ceremony, Carlos Sumbula said that, in the second half of the year, the company will commence with alluvium exploring at the Maua mine, the first in the province of Malanje, whilst activity at the Uari mine will begin at the same period.

According to the manager, the year 2013 also foresees the inauguration of the Diamond Hotel, in Luanda, and the conclusion of the construction of 200 apartments that are being built in the district of Viana, Luanda, whilst the process of handing over the first 150 residences to employees of the Catoca diamond project will begin in the city of Saurimo, Lunda Sul province.

He mentioned that Endiama, in collaboration with the Russian ALROSA firm, is carrying out geologic-mining prospecting works for the creation of a geophysics and mineralogic map of Angola's diamond regions.

He stated that the work is at an advanced stage and when concluded, Endiama shall be in conditions to know the characteristics and qualities of the diamonds originating from unknown Kimberlites.