Oil-rich Angola makes first major copper exports

Angola’s first major copper mine shipped its first concentrates in January, an official said on Tuesday, the first such exports of the clean energy metal as the oil-rich African country diversifies its mineral resources income. The $250 million Tetelo copper mine, owned by Shining Star Icarus, a partnership between China’s Shining Star International Group and Angola’s Sociedade Mineira de Cobre de Angola, started operations in October 2025. The copper concentrate was shipped to Tetelo’s offtakers Glencore, Shining Star Icarus deputy general manager Rui Lopes told Reuters at the Africa Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town.

“We plan to produce about 19,000 tons of copper concentrate this year and reach steady state production of 23,000 tons by next year, before we ramp up to about 36,000-40,000 tons per annum by 2030,” Lopes said. Copper wiring is valued for its exceptional electrical conductivity, making it vital in power grids that feed data centres, electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed for the energy transition. Lopes previously told Reuters the initial phase will be an open-pit operation, followed by underground mining from the second half of 2026. Ivanhoe Mines and Anglo American also have copper exploration projects in Angola.