Angola has significant iron ore reserves, primarily located in the Cassala-Quitungo and Kassinga deposits in the Huambo and Kwanza Sul provinces. These reserves are estimated to contain high-grade hematite ore, with potential resources in the billions of tons.
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Key Iron Ore Deposits in Angola:
1. Cassala-Quitungo (Huambo Province)
– Estimated reserves: ~1 billion metric tons
– High-grade hematite (~60-65% Fe)
– Historically mined by Portuguese colonial companies before independence
2. Kassinga (Kwanza Sul & Huambo Provinces)
– One of the largest known deposits in Angola
– Estimated reserves: ~500 million to 1 billion tons
– Contains magnetite and hematite
3. Cutato (Huíla Province)
– Smaller but promising deposit
– Estimated reserves: ~200 million tons
4. Mucanha-Virei (Namibe Province)
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ial for large-scale mining
– Contains magnetite-rich ore
Challenges & Development Status:
– Angola’s iron ore sector has been underdeveloped due to decades of civil war (1975–2002) and lack of infrastructure.
– The government has sought foreign investment to revive mining, with Chinese and other international companies showing interest.
– Major obstacles include poor rail/port infrastructure for export and high operational costs.
Current Projects:
– Angola Mining Hub (Cassala-Quitungo): A partnership between Angola’s state-owned Ferrangol and private investors aims to restart production.
– China’s CITIC Group: Has shown interest in developing Kassinga but progress has been slow due to logistical challenges.
Future Potential:
If infrastructure improves, Angola could become a significant iron ore exporter, competing with regional producers like South Africa and Mauritania. The government’s focus on economic diversification may boost mining investments in the coming years.
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