Angola is set to commence niobium exploration in the central province of Huila, following the completion of extensive prospecting work in Bonga, near the Chivila mountains. The large-scale project, which spans approximately 400 square kilometres, marks a significant step in the country’s broader strategy to diversify its mineral economy beyond oil and diamonds.
According to Quilengues municipal administrator Adriano Alberto Pedro, all technical installations and logistical frameworks have been finalised, with production anticipated to begin by the end of the year. The preparatory phase includes the relocation and compensation of more than 400 families affected by the project footprint — a process local authorities have stated will be completed in accordance with national resettlement guidelines.
Initial prospecting yielded an estimated 40,000 tonnes of ore, with laboratory analyses confirming the mineral’s high-grade niobium content. This discovery situates Huila among potentially significant niobium-producing regions in Africa, alongside deposits in Rwanda, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Niobium, a critical element in advanced steel alloys and aerospace applications, is increasingly recognised as a strategic mineral in global industrial supply chains. Its resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion makes it essential in the manufacture of jet engines, superconducting magnets, and clean-energy technologies.
The project’s economic footprint is expected to extend beyond mineral extraction. Local authorities anticipate the creation of several hundred jobs, an expansion of municipal infrastructure, and a multiplier effect on trade, services, and transport. The initiative aligns with the Angolan government’s ongoing National Plan for Geological Prospecting (Planageo) — a framework aimed at mapping and optimising the country’s untapped mineral resources.
Observers note that niobium exploration in Huila represents more than a new industrial chapter; it is a reflection of Angola’s evolving approach to resource governance — one that seeks to balance economic growth with local development and environmental stewardship. As Africa’s mineral frontiers expand, Angola’s initiative underscores the continent’s capacity to articulate its own pathways towards industrial transformation and technological sovereignty.
The Quilengues project, if managed transparently and inclusively, could become a model for responsible mineral development in Southern Africa, strengthening regional cooperation in critical mineral supply chains and affirming Africa’s agency in shaping its economic future.
