Written by George Mpofu | From Ventures Africa

Angola, Africa’s third largest diamond producer, is set to increase production by more than 20 percent this year, following the start of a massive maintenance project on the country’s largest diamond mine.

“This year we have an ambitious target of 9.5 million carats in production and 550,000 carats in artisanal production, which means we have to produce 10 million carats,” said Angola Geology and Mining Minister Francisco Queiroz.

Last year the southern African country produced 8 million carats of diamonds.

Queiroz said Catoca mine which produces 87 percent of diamond production in Angola underwent a massive maintenance process in April.

Angola’s mining industry continues to provide the country with foreign earnings. Mining contributes 12 percent of Angola’s GDP (excluding the oil sector).

Read more at Ventures Africa