Earlier this month, Geraldine Tchimbali, Country Manager, presented the Longonjo Project at the “Conferência Científica” in Huambo. During her presentation, she emphasised the substantial socioeconomic benefits that the US$217 million investment will bring to the region. This project is expected to generate significant job creation and business opportunities for local communities. As the development progresses, it has already opened up a considerable number of jobs, which will eventually increase to over 420 full-time, highly skilled positions once full production is reached.
In her comments, Geraldine expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to engage with local stakeholders. She remarked on how rewarding it was to have such positive interactions, particularly with other women, where she shared her experiences of working within and contributing to the mining sector. Tchimbali further stressed the importance of promoting women’s involvement in Angolan mining, highlighting that this remains a priority for the project. Initiatives are already in place to increase female participation in both scientific and mining roles. By focusing on gender equality and empowering women, the project aims to build a more inclusive and innovative mining sector, which in turn will support broader community development.
This investment is among the largest in the region and is poised to stimulate significant employment growth beyond the mining site itself. Global trends indicate that for every job created within the mining operations, up to six additional jobs are generated in the surrounding community. In addition to job creation, the Longonjo Project is expected to increase demand for locally produced goods and services. Whenever possible, preference will be given to domestic suppliers over imported alternatives, ensuring that local businesses benefit from the project’s growth.
As part of its commitment to fostering local expertise, training programmes are being developed to equip Angolan staff with the necessary skills to take on senior management positions. The project’s long-term goal is to ensure that 90% of its workforce consists of local employees, reinforcing its dedication to building a sustainable and locally managed mining operation.
The Longonjo Project stands as a major step forward for the region, not only in terms of economic growth but also in its efforts to promote a more inclusive and gender-balanced workforce within Angola’s mining industry.
Pensana plc (LON:PRE) explores and mines neodymium, praseodymium, and rare earth minerals. The Company’s flagship assets are the Saltend rare earth refinery project in the United Kingdom and Longonjo neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) Project in Angola.
