State-owned diamond company Endiama is spearheading the new facility, which is set to revolutionise the country’s domestic precious metals value chain.
Angolan gold refinery seen as boost for mining sector diversification
Article by:
PUBLISHED:
Angola is set to launch its first purpose-built gold refinery by the end of 2026, marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to diversify its mining sector away from a heavy reliance on diamonds. The Angolan gold refinery, situated in the Viana Industrial Hub in Luanda, is designed to process up to 25 kilograms of gold per day, according to a media report. If the refinery maintains a working schedule of 250 days annually, it is expected to have a total processing capacity of approximately 6.25 tonnes per year.
This figure represents a considerable shift for a nation that has historically relied heavily on external processing. Trade records highlight the scale of the transition: in 2024, Angola officially exported just 58 kilograms of unwrought non-monetary gold, a volume valued at approximately US$2.8 million.
[See more: Brazil pressed to keep pace with Chinese investment in Angola]
The project is being financed by Endiama, the state-owned enterprise that has steered Angola’s diamond prospecting and mining sector since 1981. According to the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, the Angolan gold refinery will span nearly 3,800 square metres. Beyond the refining unit, the site will host a laboratory and the country’s first public assay office. This office will be tasked with verifying the purity of gold, silver, and platinum, while also issuing the official hallmark guarantees necessary for selling precious metals.
Angolan gold refinery: improved value chain
The Angolan gold refinery arrives as Angola seeks to formalise its entire domestic gold value chain, covering prospecting, extraction, refining, and commercialisation. Official data indicates that between 2019 and 2025, the country assayed 346.63 kilograms of gold – equivalent to over 10,781 fine ounces – with an average purity level of 93.2 percent.
Currently, there are 49 active gold prospecting projects and four operations already in production, representing a total investment exceeding US$120 million. Activity has been recorded across several provinces, including Cabinda, Huíla, Huambo, Bengo, Benguela, Zaire, and Uíge.
By bringing these operations in-house, the government aims to reduce its dependence on foreign processing facilities. This Angolan gold refinery is expected to grant the country greater control over certification and the formal commercialisation of its mineral wealth, allowing it to capture more value from its natural resources beyond the traditional dominance of the diamond industry.
