The De Beers Group, one of the world's largest diamond producers, said that negotiations were currently under way with the government of Angola and the state diamond mining company Endiama regarding the granting of new concessions.
The head of the media relations department, Lynette Gould, told Rough & Polished that it is expected to start work in the early stages this year.
Between 2005 and 2012, De Beers conducted a large exploration program at the Lunda NE concession, where 118 kimberlite pipes were discovered.
With regard to 75 of these pipes, further studies were carried out for the presence and average content of diamonds, followed by stock assessment and the preparation of a pre-feasibility study for Mulepe-1. As a result, it was found that the development of a single field under the given conditions is unprofitable.