De Beers invested in the mining of diamonds in Angola De Beers has contributed both capital investment and the technology needed to prospect in the kimberlite pipes from which diamonds are extracted. Despite today's announcement, De Beers will be maintaining a presence in Angola and intends to continue talks with the government. De Beer's decision means an Israeli company, the Leviev Group, has exclusive rights to market Angola's legitimate diamond output. Rebels in Angola's civil war control many of the country's diamond mines and their campaign has been in part funded by the sale of diamonds. Since 1998 the United Nations has banned the export of diamonds from rebel sources.
Deal follows four year land crisis Links to more Africa stories are at the foot of the page.