De Beers, in partnership with Angola’s state-owned diamond company Endiama, has confirmed the discovery of a new kimberlite field - the first for the global diamond giant in over three decades. Kimberlite is the rare volcanic rock that forms deep underground and is the primary source of natural diamonds. The find was made in July 2025 after drilling into a high-priority target cluster in northeastern Angola. Initial results have been promising, and further tests will determine if the deposit holds gem-quality stones and in what volumes.
The discovery comes just three years after De Beers returned to Angola in 2022, ending a decade-long absence. That comeback was secured through mineral investment agreements granting the company exploration rights to vast concessions. In 2024, the partnership expanded to include diamond processing and beneficiation, ensuring more of the diamond value remains in Angola. The Angolan government has worked to modernize its mining laws, boost transparency, and attract responsible international investment.
Photo : Courtesy
Photo : Courtesy
De Beers CEO Al Cook praised Angola as one of the best places in the world to search for diamonds, comparing its potential to Botswana and South Africa. The find could also strengthen De Beers’ position as its parent company, Anglo American, prepares to sell its diamond division — a process that has already attracted interest from global investors in India, Qatar, and Africa. Analysts believe this discovery could raise De Beers’ market value significantly.
“This is our first new kimberlite field discovery in over 30 years, and it’s a testament to the potential that Angola holds,” — Al Cook, CEO, De Beers.
Angola already holds about 10 percent of the world’s diamond reserves, and this new kimberlite field could increase production, revenue, and job creation across mining and related industries. The government has pledged to ensure local communities benefit directly, reflecting its push to make diamond wealth a driver of national development rather than an isolated export industry.
For Africa, this discovery is more than just a commercial success. It is another chapter in the continent’s long and glittering history of producing the world’s most coveted gems, a reminder that beneath its soil lie treasures capable of reshaping economies, inspiring pride, and securing Africa’s place at the heart of the global diamond story.