SEAMIC Newsletter Vol. 10

INVESTING IN ANGOLA'S
MINERAL WEALTH
BY MINISTRY OF GEOLOGY AND MINES OF ANGOLA
BACKGROUND
Angola lies in the south-western side of the African continent.
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West, Namibia to
the South, Zambia to the East, and the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) to the North. From west to east, Angola
comprises three physiographic zones: i) Coastal lowlands 50
to 150km wide; ii) North-South striking mountain range
100km wide rising to 2620m above sea level (Mt Moco); iii)
Central highland plateau, at 1000m to 1500m above sea level,
covering two-thirds of the country.
Angola is actively seeking to attract private local and foreign
investment to its mining sector. Known mineral resources in
Angola are widespread and offer ample investment
opportunities for small and large-scale mining.
Positive factors of primary importance to private investors in the minerals industry include:
♦ political stability
♦ mining legislation
♦ geological provenance
♦ fiscal background
♦ infrastructure
♦ minerals production.
Based on these, Angola's ranking in a global context for multinational inward investment for
mineral development has been well established. It is clear that with the continuing pattern
towards political stability, Angola's geological provenance should put the country in a very
competitive position. Decision making criteria by both exploration and mining companies is
based on such critical issues such as security of tenure, the right to expatriate profits,
management control, equity control and a stable fiscal regime. Some of the positive factors that
catch the attention of investment in exploration and mineral development are discussed below.
GEOLOGY
Angola can be subdivided into 5 main regional geological units, each containing distinct
mineral deposits as discussed below.
Quaternary to Tertiary Sedimentary Rocks comprising sand, quartzitic sandstone, gravel and
clay extend over nearly half of Angola, including the entire eastern part.
Pleistocene to Cretaceous marine sediments lie in a series of coastal basins on the western
margin of Angola.
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