Angola’s first major copper mine, Tetelo, is set to begin production soon, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and tap into clean energy minerals, Mines Minister Diamantino Azevedo announced on Wednesday.
The $250 million project, owned by China’s Shining Star Icarus, is expected to produce around 25,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually during its first two years.
The mine will start as an open-pit operation, with underground mining scheduled to commence in the second half of 2026
The launch of Tetelo reflects Angola’s growing ambition to attract investment into critical minerals that support the global clean energy transition.
Copper, alongside lithium, cobalt, and nickel, is crucial for renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicles and solar systems.
Major international players, including Ivanhoe Mines and Anglo American, are also exploring copper projects in Angola, signalling the country’s emergence as a potential new frontier for energy-transition minerals in Africa.
Angola, Africa’s third-largest oil producer, has been courting investment to counter a sharp decline in output, a key source of government revenue.
The 30,000-barrel-per-day facility is expected to reduce reliance on costly fuel imports, even as the government phases out subsidies that have historically triggered unrest.
Source: Africabusinessinsider
