MOSCOW, July 9 (RIA Novosti) - Alrosa [RTS: ALRS], Russia's largest diamond producer, said Monday it plans to conduct geological surveys at oil and gas fields in Angola under an agreement signed with Angolan companies.
Under the agreement signed in Luanda July 9 with the Angolan National Fuel Society (Sonangol) and Angolan oil firm Dark Oil, Alrosa will carry out the geological surveys at deposits in the provinces of Lower Congo and Upper Kwanza between the Etosha, Okavango, and Kassanje basins, and also on the republic's shelf.
Alrosa, which accounts for 25% of world diamond output, sold diamonds worth $2.86 billion in 2006, including $141.1 million worth of quality diamonds.
Alrosa holds a 32.8% stake in Angola's Catoca diamond mine and plans to participate in the development of the African country's hydropower sector.
