By AIMC Staff Writer
The New Architecture of the Angolan Mining Sector: A Paradigmatic Shift
The global economy is undergoing a structural transformation of historical
significance. The urgent need for a sustainable energy transition and the
reconfiguring of geopolitical value chains are driving a renewed and intense
demand for essential raw materials. In this scenario of dynamism and uncertainty,
Angola is emerging not just as a potential supplier, but as a strategic partner. The
nation, recognised for decades for its dependence on oil and diamonds, has been
undertaking a paradigmatic shift since 2017, the success of which rests on the
profound restructuring of its geological and mining sector.
At the heart of this ambitious strategy for diversification and modernisation lies
the National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM), the Titanium Sponsor of the
Angola International Mining Conference (AIMC 2025). The creation of ANRM,
established by Presidential Decree No. 161/20 of 5th June, symbolises the
materialisation of the vision of a modern State: the withdrawal of direct presence
in mineral economic activity and the concentration of efforts on the functions of
promotion, regulation, inspection, certification, and contracting. The agency thus
assumes the role of the institutional guarantor of confidence and regulatory
stability, essential prerequisites for attracting the international capital necessary
for the full realisation of Angola’s geological potential.
The Chairman of the ANRM Board of Directors, Jacinto Ferreira dos Santos
Rocha, summarises the philosophy guiding the agency on the institution’s official
website. Addressing the global community of entrepreneurs and potential
investors, Rocha states that this is an “exciting moment” for the Angolan mining
industry, with significant opportunities for growth. ANRM’s commitment is based
on non-negotiable pillars: a “fair and transparent” regulatory environment,
“regulatory compliance,” and vehemently, “environmental responsibility.” Angola
is actively seeking investors who value long-term sustainability and operational
excellence, setting a high standard for its mining future. Transparency, therefore,
becomes the currency for investor confidence in the sector.
The Regulator’s Mandate: Simplification, Dialogue, and Legal Certainty
ANRM has a clear mandate that transcends a mere supervisory function. The
agency positions itself as the strategic driver to make the Angolan market
appealing and attractive for investment. To this end, ANRM is tasked with
outlining strategies and defining guidelines that foster a robust and healthy
business environment.
One of ANRM’s immediate and most critical focuses is the simplification of
processes and the reduction of bureaucracy. Regulatory complexity often acts as
an obstacle, discouraging foreign capital. ANRM’s active work seeks to dismantle
these administrative barriers, ensuring that all participants – from large
multinational corporations to small-scale investors – can operate and prosper
with predictability.
ANRM expresses total openness to dialogue, a stance aimed at “collaborating
with you to create an open, transparent, and secure relationship.” This concerted
effort ultimately seeks to optimise geological and mining activity in the Country
and maximise national potential.
This governmental restructuring, outlined in the Mining Sector Governance Model
(Presidential Decree No. 143/20), establishes a clear separation of functions. The
Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET) focuses on
strategic guidance, while ANRM assumes the responsibilities of promotion and
regulation. Other public companies, such as ENDIAMA E.P, now concentrate their
efforts on their core operational business, abandoning their concessionary
functions. This clarification of roles increases institutional efficiency and sends an
unequivocal signal of governmental maturity to the international market,
reinforcing the climate of trust.
From Diamonds to Diversification: The Matrix of Opportunities in the Critical Axis
Angola’s potential extends far beyond its historical diamond wealth. The matrix
of business opportunities, actively promoted by ANRM, is vast and diversified,
perfectly aligned with the demands and needs of the 21st-century global
economy.
ANRM’s strategic focus covers multiple production streams, from the most
traditional to those at the technological frontier. The strategy includes:
- Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals: Fundamental elements for industrial
and infrastructural development. - Precious Metals: Gold and other precious metals, whose extraction
continues to attract capital for their status as a store of value. - Semi-Precious Stones and Ornamental Rocks: Niche markets with high
potential for added value and export. - Rare Earth Minerals and Radioactive Elements: Critical strategic
minerals, essential for high technology, advanced electronics, and the
energy transition itself. Angola is positioning itself as a vital supplier in this
global axis, a central topic of debate in Session 9 of AIMC 2025: “Angola’s
Potential in the Supply of Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition.” - Minerals for Civil Construction and Non-Metallic Mineral Resources:
The basis for the country’s urban and infrastructural development. - Solid Fossil Fuels: Mineral coal, whose inspection and exploitation are
also under ANRM’s rigorous control.
In addition to these resources, ANRM promotes the implementation and
development of the mineral-medicinal water industry and thermal resorts, aiming
to foster eco-tourism and health. This aspect shows a strategic perspective that
links mineral resources to sectors with potential for diversifying the Gross
Domestic Product.
Incentives and Financing: The Legal Framework for Attracting Capital
Attracting large-scale investment requires more than geological potential; it
demands an attractive, stable, and predictable legal and fiscal framework. The
Angolan Mining Code, Law No. 31/11 of 23rd September, establishes a robust
set of tax incentives and exemptions specifically designed to leverage mining
activity.
Among the main provisions benefiting investors, the following stand out:
- Income Tax Exemption (Article 247): A direct incentive for the profit and
profitability of projects. - Exemption from Import and Export Duties on Equipment (Articles
269, 271, 273, and 274): Significant reduction of capital and operational
costs, crucial for the technological modernisation of the sector.
These incentives, combined with the availability of quality geological information
(the result of programmes like PLANAGEO) and institutional support for project
viability, create a solid foundation for investor decision-making. AIMC 2025, with
sessions dedicated to financing and the fiscal framework (Session 1: “Financing
the Future: Attracting Investment to Angola” and Session 3: “External Risks,
Fiscal Terms, Governance, and Regulation”), offers the essential platform for
investors to deepen their knowledge of these mechanisms.
Mining Inspection: A Pillar of Sustainable Management and ESG
Investor confidence rests on predictability and the guarantee of strict compliance
with regulations. ANRM’s mining inspection function, exercised through the
Directorate of Mining Inspection, Safety and Environment, plays a pivotal role in
the management and sustainable use of mineral resources, as provided for in
Article 30 of its Organic Statute.
Inspection operates across all phases of mining activity with rigour and detail:
- Prospecting and Mineral Research Phase: ANRM’s effort focuses on
monitoring field work, technical analysis of research reports, and
verification of compliance with the awarded mining title. The approval of
final research reports is a fundamental act, certifying the validity and
quality of the work executed, which results in the generation of new mineral
deposits for the Country. This includes the inspection of water resources
and groundwater. - Mineral Exploration Phase: Responsibility centres on verifying that the
holders of exploration rights fulfil the obligations provided for in the Mining
Code. This encompasses the inspection of mineral substance extraction
and use, tailings dam management, and, critically, revenue control. ANRM
assumes the management of revenue collection, effecting payment
collection from defaulting mining rights holders, ensuring the entry of
revenues and the application of fines and proceeds resulting from
infringements.
The overall objectives of inspection include verifying work in concession areas,
responding to external requests from various entities (Public Prosecutor’s Office,
National Police, Judiciary, Provincial Governments), and rigorously combating
the illegal extraction of mineral substances. Conflict mediation and the auctioning
of seized assets complement this framework of action. The publication of the
Inspection Manual reinforces procedural transparency.
The rigour in inspection reflects an intrinsic commitment to ESG (Environmental,
Social, and Governance) principles. Session 3 of AIMC 2025, which addresses
the regulatory and governance aspects influencing the business environment,
and Session 4, focused on the Sustainable Logistics Chain and Community
Integration, underscore the seriousness with which Angola approaches
responsible resource management.
In summary, Angola is defining a new model of interaction with the global investor.
ANRM’s commitment is reflected in the promise of a stronger and more dynamic
mining sector, ready for shared prosperity.
AIMC 2025 acts as the stage where this promise is converted into concrete plans
and tangible partnerships. The participation of investors is, as the PCA Jacinto
Ferreira dos Santos Rocha emphasises, a “fundamental step for collective
success.”
The time to explore and invest in Angola’s mining renaissance has arrived.
AIMC 2025