Sodiam reported approximately USD 1.8 billion in rough-diamond sales for 2025, on exports of 17.2 million carats, up 69 per cent on 2024. Production rose 8 per cent to 15.2 million carats, exceeding both MIREMPET's initial 15.1 million forecast and its revised 14.8 million. The same year saw a 29 per cent decline in the average selling price per carat — volume growth against a falling price.
Elsewhere the pipeline is more diverse. In ferrous metals, work is under way on the mining component of the Kassinga Mining-Steel Project in Huíla, the Kassala Kitungo iron ore project in Cuanza Norte, and a first pig iron plant by Cuchi Steel Company in Cuando Cubango, which has completed an initial export. In copper, ground was broken on the Mavoio-Tetelo project in Uíge, and investment contracts granting copper prospecting rights have been signed in Moxico and Cuando Cubango. In rare earths, Pensana reports a Longonjo mineral reserve of 21.54 Mt at 3.04 per cent TREO — 654,965 tonnes of contained TREO including 139,457 tonnes of NdPr — with construction on track for first production in 2027.
The regulatory point is that rare metals and rare earth elements were classified as strategic minerals by Presidential Decree 231/16 of 8 December 2016, joining diamonds, gold and radioactive minerals. Strategic classification makes public tender mandatory for the award of rights. Commodity choice is therefore also a choice of acquisition route.