Angola Diamond Exports $800 Million in 2004

Diamond-rich Angola exported about 7 million carats of diamonds worth almost $800 million, according to junior Mines Minister Mankenda Amboise. Amboise said that while diamond output had edged up by 0.04 percent from 2003, revenues fell 3.1 percent.

As with many diamond producer countries, it is difficult to reach an accurate figure for Angolan production, due to widespread smuggling.

Industry analyst Chaim Even-Zohar estimated Angola's 2003 diamond production at $900 million.

In addition to Amboise's remark that revenues fell 3.1 percent on the year, Mining Minister Manuel Africano last month said Angola was losing $1 million a day, or $360 million per annum, due to diamond smuggling.