Endiama Promises to Save Antelopes Threatened by Mining
March 12, 13
(IDEX Online News) – Angolan state-mining company Endiama has promised to do “all it takes” to save an endangered antelope species used as a national symbol after reports emerged that mining companies had been granted concessions in a nature reserve.
The giant sable, also known as palanca negra, is the name of the national soccer (football) team and also the emblem of the country’s airline.
Bloomberg reported that Endiama is considering altering the Capunda diamond concession it granted to KCC, Yango and AM&B in the Luando reserve, which is situated some 400 kilometers (250 miles) southeast of the capital Luanda.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Endiama spokesman Antonio Freitas said that people had been “a little careless” in identifying the location of the concession. “The nature reserve was even approved by the Ministry of Geology and Mines.”
He added that the company’s main goal is to protect the sable. “Management is meeting with all the companies to find a solution to meet the needs of all involved and cause minimal damage to the environment. We will do all it takes to protect the animals and comply with Angola’s environmental laws.”
Bloomberg reported that owing to the country’s 27-year civil and poaching, there are fewer than 100 of the animals left in the country, 24 of which are living in semi-captivity inside a fenced 9,884-acre camp at Cangandala and four herds totaling 50 to 70 animals in the wild of the reserve.
Angola is the world’s fifth-largest diamond producer by value. According to Kimberley Process figures, Angola exported 8.33 million carats of diamonds valued at $1.16 billion in 2011.