By Enyichukwu Enemanna
As part of the oil-rich African country’s efforts to diversify into clean energy minerals, Angola has announced that its first large-scale copper mine will soon commence operations.
Copper, alongside battery metals including lithium, cobalt and nickel, is regarded as crucial for the shift towards renewable energy sources and reduce over-reliance on fossil fuels.
“I am honoured to announce the inauguration of the Tetelo mine, which will take place in a few days,” Mines Minister Diamantino Azevedo said at a mining conference in Luanda.
“This event will mark the start of production at the first underground mine for this very important metal,” he stated.
The Minister said the $250m Tetelo facility, owned by China’s Shining Star Icarus is projected to yield 25,000 tons of copper concentrate annually during its initial two years.
Operations will commence with open-pit extraction before transitioning to underground mining from the latter half of 2026, he added.
Ivanhoe Mines and Anglo American are also pursuing copper exploration ventures in Angola, a Reuters report says.
The development represents a significant step in Angola’s strategy to reduce its reliance on petroleum revenues by developing its mineral resources sector.
