The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (Mirempt) granted on Tuesday, 35 diamond exploitation licenses to small industrial cooperatives in northern Uíge province.
At least eight firms received exploitation licenses during a ceremony led by the national director of Mineral Resources, André Buta, in the presence of the deputy-governor for Political, Social and Economic Affairs, Catarina Pedro Domingos.
In the meantime, the national director urged firms to abide by the law to avoid punishments that could lead their activities to be shutdown.
Each firm granted licenses must create 30 jobs and sell their production to the Angolan Diamond Trade Society (Sodiama).
Source: Angop
