Angola: Mais e mais diamantes

Luanda — More than eight hundred and sixty-five thousand carats of diamonds, estimated at 115.4 million US dollars (one dollar equals 125.16 Akz), were produced and sold during the month of July this year in the country, an average price of 133 per a carat. A report from the Ministry of Geology and Mining, which reached Angop on Thursday, indicates that compared to June, in which it was produced and sold 748.185 carats, valued at USD 92,9 million, at the average price of 124 per a carat, there was an increase in the volume and value of 15.66% and 24.22%, respectively. This rise was due, on the one hand, to the increased production of Catoca mine in 3.83%, and on the other, to the pile up of the trading of the fine class diamonds which usually occurs every two months. As for the value of sales, it was recorded in the same period, a slight increase in rough diamond prices at the international market and the supply volume price per a carat achieved satisfactory levels in the domestic market. Over the same period of 2014, the production was 685.488 carats, valued at USD 92.5 million, sold at an average price of USD 135 per a carat. The main destinations of rough diamonds were the United Arab Emirates, with 95% of total exports, following Hong Kong (3%), Israel (1%), Belgium (1%), and Panama (0.01%). ANGOP