Lisbon,Feb. 3, 2025 (Lusa) - Operations at the Lulo mine in the Angolan province of Lunda Norte have been halted due to a protest by local leaders, the Australian company Lucapa Diamond Company said on Monday.

According to a statement from Lucapa, which manages the mine with Endiama and Rosas e Pétalas, the "sobas" (local traditional authorities) have blocked all the entrances to the mine, preventing mining.

"The blockade is currently peaceful. However, it is preventing mine workers from entering or leaving the site," the company said, emphasising that the priority “remains the safety and well-being of its employees”.

The blockade has interrupted alluvial mining and kimberlite sampling activities at Lulo, one of Angola's most famous mines, where some of the most valuable diamonds have been produced.

"Talks are underway between community leaders and a government delegation that includes representatives of the provincial governor to end the blockade peacefully, but no progress has been made," the Lucapa statement said.

The company said that processing of the stored ore is continuing, although there has been some downtime at the processing plant because workers outside the mine have been unable to enter.

However, "there is a risk that the blockage could affect Lulo's production results for the first quarter of 2025 if it is not resolved soon" since the stored gravel, i.e. the material from which diamonds are extracted, is running out.

Lucapa emphasises that "the community leaders have made a series of unreasonable demands on Sociedade Mineira do Lulo", the entity that operates the mine, considering that the issues that the group is demanding are the responsibility of the local authorities.

The company emphasised that it has consistently supported the local community, fulfilled its social responsibilities, and that "these new demands are unreasonable and unexpected".

RCR/ADB // ADB.

Lusa