The priorities of Angolan mining company Sociedade Mineira da Catoca (SMC) for the next five years are focused on improving operational efficiency to increase productivity and tax contributions, the company’s new CEO announced on Tuesday in Saurimo.

Benedito Paulo Manuel noted the beginning of the exploration of the Luaxe mine, about 25 kilometres from Catoca, as one of the company’s main challenges following geological prospecting and a geophysical survey started in 2008.

The new director-general, quoted by the Angop news agency, called for jobs to be guaranteed, improving social conditions of workers and “wages capable of meeting their needs.”

Benedito Paulo Manuel succeeds Sergei Amelin, a Russian, who after three years in office stood down a week ago, to take on new challenges.

SMC’s shareholders are state-owned diamond company Endiama and Russian group Alrosa, with equal holdings of 41%, with the remaining 18% held by LL International Holding B.V.

Headquartered in the municipality of Saurimo, Lunda Sul province, the company is the fourth largest producer of diamonds in the world and the Angolan leader with a share of 86.3% by volume and 60.3% by value. (source: macauhub)