De Beers, the global diamond giant, has made a significant discovery in Angola—its first kimberlite field in three decades. The announcement came on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from the company’s joint venture with Angola’s state-owned diamond firm Endiama. This news marks a pivotal moment for Angola’s mining sector and global diamond exploration.
The breakthrough occurred when the joint exploration team successfully hit kimberlite in the very first drill hole into a carefully selected cluster of targets during July 2025 exploration. Kimberlite is a rare volcanic rock known to carry diamonds to the Earth’s surface. Mining such a discovery could revive Angola’s diamond output and draw fresh investment.
De Beers confirmed that this discovery followed its return to Angola in 2022, after having pulled out a decade earlier due to unsuccessful exploration attempts. In April 2022, it signed mineral investment contracts with the Angolan government. In 2024, the partnership deepened further with new agreements covering diamond processing and additional exploration.
The company now plans a full follow-up campaign: more drilling, detailed geophysical surveys, and laboratory testing to confirm the kimberlite type and evaluate its diamond potential. Explorers and mining analysts are watching closely, as success could boost Angola’s profile in the global diamond supply chain.
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers, said Angola remains one of the best places in the world to look for diamonds. He praised President João Lourenço and his administration, saying their work to adopt international best practices and improve transparency helped create a business-friendly environment—which allowed De Beers to return and explore potential new sources of supply.
The timing of this discovery is significant. De Beers is in the process of being divested by its parent company, Anglo American, as part of a strategy to focus on copper and iron ore assets. The divestment has attracted interest from at least six different groups, including Indian diamond companies, Qatari investment funds, and billionaire commodities magnate Anil Agarwal. The Angolan find could add significant value to De Beers as bidders evaluate future prospects.
This discovery also comes as Angola looks to broaden its economic base beyond oil. Diamonds have long been a key export, but new discoveries like this could help the country become a stronger player in global mineral markets.
Angola already hosts the Luele diamond mine, which began operations in 2023 and is expected to be among the largest diamond projects globally. The kimberlite discovery by De Beers could further consolidate Angola’s position as a leading diamond producer in Africa.
Still, the path ahead will not be easy. Mining projects need infrastructure, reliable power, and skilled labour. Angola must also ensure that the sector remains transparent and that revenue benefits local communities. Continued partnership with De Beers and support from the government will influence how far this discovery delivers economic gains.
For Nigeria and other African nations with mining potential, this event is a reminder of the importance of consistent investment, strong governance, and transparency in attracting global partners. Angola’s evolving success could inspire nearby countries to boost their own mineral exploration strategies and create opportunities for growth.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on Angola as deeper drilling results are published. Should the kimberlite prove promising, this discovery may reshape the regional diamond market—and reinforce the importance of Africa in global mineral supply chains.
