(IDEX Online) - De Beers has strengthened its ties with Angola in a move aimed at increasing the country's diamond production.It has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Angola's National Mineral Resource Agency, and its state-owned mining and trading companies - Endiama and Sodiam - that is also designed to support the alluvial mining sector and enhance social development.De Beers has been prospecting for kimberlites in Angola, a country that has yet to explore 60 per cent of its diamond-rich territories, since the signing of two Mineral Investment Contracts in 2022Angola opened its new Luele diamond mine last November, in a move that is forecast to increase annual production from 9.7m carats in 2023 to 14.6m carats this year.Under the terms of the MoU there will be a review of kimberlite deposits to be explored and the transparency and traceability of diamond production will be promoted.Ganga Junior, CEO of Endiama, said: "This is a strategic partnership with the objective of increasing diamond production in Angola to contribute towards the socio-economic development of our country."Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group, said: "I'm delighted to strengthen our partnership with Angola and to collaborate with Government, Endiama and Sodiam to further develop the country's diamond sector for the benefit of its people.Pic courtesy De Beers shows Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group (left) and Ganga Junior, CEO of Endiama.