Angolan authorities have arrested 48 individuals, including both nationals and foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in illegal gold mining in Songo, Uíge province. The arrests were carried out in recent days by the National Police (PN) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal resource exploitation.
The crackdown follows concerns raised by Uíge Governor, José Carvalho da Rocha, during a January visit by the Minister of the Interior, Manuel Homem. The governor had denounced the illegal mining of diamonds in Songo, prompting intensified law enforcement action in the region.
According to PN spokesperson in Uíge, Chief Superintendent Freitas Zama, the arrested individuals include citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea Conakry, Mauritania, and Senegal.
“These citizens were engaged in illegal gold exploration in the town of Terra Prometida (Promised Land), which is more than 20 km from the Songo’s municipal headquarters,” Zama confirmed in a statement to ANGOP on Tuesday, February 11.
In addition to the arrests, the police seized three vehicles, four motor pumps, and other mining equipment used in the illicit operations. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to intensifying crackdowns on illegal mining activities to protect Angola’s natural resources and prevent environmental degradation.
