(Rapaport…February 6, 2006) In the heart of Angola’s geographical center, illegal diamond mining and sales are on the increase, according to the state of Bie Province’s department of geology and mining.
Bie’s mining minister, Isaac Paulino Santos, told the Angola Press that illegal diamond trading across Bie is on the upswing, and is causing serious damage to the province.
He said the province is being invaded by “thousands” of foreign miners who abscond with diamonds and parties who buy diamonds off the record. The numbers of foreigners flooding to the province has overwhelmed Bie’s police and geology department, he said.