De Beers expands diamond exploration to 16 areas in Angola
The company is looking to advance its exploration activities into future production projects, as it strengthens its presence in one of Africa's key diamond-producing countries
De Beers is expanding its diamond exploration activities in Angola, increasing its operational footprint to 16 areas as it assesses opportunities to develop future mining projects in the country.
The expansion was highlighted during a meeting between De Beers Chief Executive Officer Al Cook and Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, in Luanda on November 3, 2026.
The discussions focused on the progress of the company’s diamond prospecting activities and the prospects for future production in Angola.
Following the meeting, Cook described the engagement as positive and constructive, highlighting De Beers’ interest in working with the Angolan government to translate exploration results into future mining projects.
The expanded exploration programme reflects the company’s growing interest in Angola’s diamond resources, with the country offering opportunities to identify new deposits and strengthen its long-term production prospects.
Building on exploration progress
De Beers returned to Angola in 2022 after signing two mineral investment contracts with the government covering diamond exploration and potential mining activities. The company is working alongside state-owned diamond producer Endiama through joint venture arrangements.
The partnership recorded an important exploration milestone in July 2025, when its first drill hole into a high-priority target intersected kimberlite. The discovery marked De Beers’ first new kimberlite field discovery in more than 30 years.
Further exploration work was required to establish the diamond potential of the discovery and determine whether it could support commercial mining.
The latest expansion to 16 exploration areas indicates the scale of the company’s ongoing prospecting activities as it seeks to identify economically viable deposits.
Cook also reiterated De Beers’ commitment to supporting the development of Angola’s diamond potential, with the company looking to work alongside the government in advancing exploration results towards future production.
The next phase will depend on the outcome of prospecting activities and the identification of deposits capable of supporting commercially viable mining operations.
