Angola Opens Its First $305 Million Copper Mine

Angola on Wednesday opened the country’s first copper mine in Maquela do Zombo, Uíge Province.

The $305 million investment project, implemented by Shining Star Icarus (SU) Limited, was officially commissioned by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo.

The mine has a production capacity of 4,000 tons per day, with a copper recovery rate of 92 percent and a final concentrate grade of 35 percent.

More than 1,500 workers, mostly young Angolans from the region, were involved in the construction phase. It is estimated that between 2,500 and 3,000 jobs could be created at the project’s peak.

Minister Azevedo stated that Uíge Province “goes down in history as the land of copper,” with Maquela do Zombo as the epicenter of a new cycle of industrial, economic, and social development for the country.

“Angola does not want to be merely an exporter of raw materials,” he said. “I affirm with clarity and responsibility that when reserves and operational scale justify it, Angola will consider establishing domestic facilities for copper processing and refining. This will mean value creation here, employment here, and wealth here in Angola.”

According to him, the Tetelo Mine is part of a broader strategic plan that includes ongoing exploration projects in the provinces of Moxico, Huíla, Cuanza Sul, Cuando Cubango, Namibe, Huambo, and Cabinda, positioning Angola within the Lufilian Arc, one of the world’s largest copper belts.