28 May Interview with Rómulo Mucase, CEO of Sociedade Mineira do Luele (Luele), Angola
Please describe Luele’s role in the global diamond industry?
Luele is a new operation that began activities in Nov. 2023 and within just a short period has assumed a strategic role in Angola’s mining industry, with a significant impact on the international diamond sector too. This importance comes from the scale of production, the enormous geological and mining potential of the deposit, and the way we are structuring the operation. The project is also aligned with international best practices, meaning there is a strong focus on sustainability and responsible mining.
In just two years of activity, Luele already accounts for approximately 43% of Angola’s diamond production. In 2024, the country became the world’s third-largest diamond producer, with Luele having made a decisive contribution to this achievement. Our relevance is also linked to the value we generate for all stakeholders, not only for the state and shareholders, but above all for the communities. We have a very strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, with consistent investments in community programs, contributing to Angola’s economic and social development, especially in the communities surrounding the operation.
Please tell us about your operational excellence and technological innovation
We operate in an extremely competitive market, shaped by changing consumer preferences and growing demands for ethics, transparency, traceability and sustainability. Consumers increasingly want to know where diamonds come from, how they were produced, and whether environmental and social principles were respected throughout the process. For this reason, we believe there is no longer any room to operate without innovation. We must implement the best available technologies because the market itself requires it.
At the same time, we need to optimize internal costs, protect margins and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. At Luele, we continuously work on innovative processes and methodologies that improve efficiency and productivity while also ensuring environmental compliance and respect for communities. Innovation is present throughout the entire production chain, from geology, mining, mineral processing and gemstone recovery to tailings management, always with a strong focus on environmental preservation.
What can you share with us about Luele’s partnerships and international collaboration?
We maintain a very close relationship with the sector’s key institutions, beginning with the national diamond company, known as ENDIAMA, which oversees diamond production in Angola, and the diamond trading company, called SODIAM, which is responsible for commercialization.
We also work closely with national regulatory bodies and international partners as it is essential to strengthen relationships not only with national producers, but also with other global players in the diamond industry.
Recently, we established partnerships focused on diamond traceability technologies and reinforced collaboration with organizations involved in international regulatory initiatives. This ensures that diamonds reaching the market are fully traceable, identified from their origin, and produced according to universal principles of sustainability and transparency. We are also active members of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, known as EITI, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability.
In addition, within just two years, we achieved key ISO certifications:
- ISO 9001 — Quality
- ISO 14001 — Environment
- ISO 45001 — Occupational Health and Safety
We are also currently implementing the guidelines of ISO 37301, focused on compliance and corporate governance.
How do you see the evolution of Angola’s diamond ecosystem?
Our vision goes beyond simply being producers of rough diamonds. We want to actively participate across the entire value chain, including cutting, transformation and, eventually, jewelry manufacturing. There are already important initiatives in Angola related to diamond cutting and polishing. Some factories are operational, while others are still under development. At the same time, the future gold refinery, currently in its final implementation stage, will help complete the country’s jewelry value chain. Companies in the sector play a dual role: supplying raw materials while also participating directly in local transformation activities. This creates jobs, promotes technology transfer and technical training, and strengthens Angola’s integration into international markets.
Is there a timeline for these initiatives?
Based on the information we receive through ENDIAMA and other partners, the gold refinery is in its final stage and is expected to begin operations soon. The cutting factories already exist and are operational. There is a very clear effort underway to expand local transformation capacity and strengthen the entire value chain of the sector.
What was behind Luele’s participation at the prestigious JCK Las Vegas trade show
The diamond market is currently going through a highly competitive period, influenced by synthetic diamonds, macroeconomic challenges and the current geopolitical environment.
For this reason, we make it a priority to attend major international industry events. Over the past year, we participated in events in Las Vegas, Dubai, Paris and Milan. These events are essential for strengthening relationships with other producers, commercial partners and international institutions. They also allow us to align strategies with important initiatives – including the Kimberley Process – and to closely follow the transformations taking place in the global market.
What can you tell us about your academic background and professional career?
I completed my degree in Mining Engineering at Luanda’s Universidade Agostinho Neto back in 2000 and the following year I joined diamond miner Catoca, where I built a large part of my professional career. I also hold a master’s degree in business administration from the Center for Postgraduate Studies in Business Administration at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, which further strengthened my strategic and management capabilities within the mining industry.
I started as a mining engineer in the field, later moving into geotechnical functions, mine planning and the implementation of operational management and real-time monitoring systems. At the time, this represented a major innovation, as it allowed the entire mining operation to be monitored in real time. Over the years, I assumed leadership positions in mine planning, engineering management and strategic production control, contributing to the modernization and operational development of one of Angola’s most important mining companies.
In 2020, I was appointed to the Luaxe project – now operated by Luele – where I led the coordination of operations, logistics, human resources, administration and the implementation of the operational and technological framework required for the project’s development and official launch in 2023.
Today, as CEO of Luele, I lead one of Angola’s most strategic mining projects, with a strong focus on operational excellence, sustainability, innovation and the long-term development of the national diamond industry.
What are your reflections on leadership and strategic vision?
Our mission is to build a strategic company with global recognition in the diamond industry. We aim to bring to the market a differentiated product, valued for its origin, quality and social responsibility.
Our objective is not only to generate financial returns, but also to ensure that communities directly benefit from the value created by the operation. We are building a company with a strong reputation, based on good governance, solid internal organization and integrated management systems. Our current priority is to consolidate Luele’s operations and continue scaling up production.
The project plays a fundamental role for Angola, particularly at a time when global projections indicate a decline in rough diamond supply over the next decade. Luele stands out as one of the major mines of this generation, with very strong geological potential and an estimated operational life of at least 60 years.
In 2024, we produced just over six million carats and in 2025, approximately 6.5 million. This year, our target is to reach nine million carats. Once at full capacity by the end of this decade, we expect to reach 12 million carats annually.
Beyond production, we remain deeply committed to the social and economic development of the Lunda Sul province. We maintain cooperation agreements with the provincial government and universities in areas such as education, culture, sports and social infrastructure. Among the key projects currently underway is the construction of 350 homes for 350 families, with an investment exceeding $25 million, including schools, a medical center and essential services. The operation has also already generated more than 3,300 direct and indirect jobs, mainly for young Angolans, with an average workforce age of 31 years. At the same time, we are developing agricultural initiatives and sports programs for children and young people, always guided by a long-term vision of sustainable regional development.