An Angolan diamond miner has turned to space to help keep an eye on its gemstones.

National diamond mining company Endiama and the National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN) have launched a locally developed earth-observation tool called Tech-Minas to prevent illegal diamond mining and theft.

The tool combines artificial intelligence, ChatGPT and satellite imagery to have oversight of the entire diamond value chain, reports Space in Africa. The system is also used to accurately locate minerals deposits.

Endiama is already using the technology at its Samacanda and Luaximo prospecting areas.

Angola opened its first satellite control centre in January 2023 to monitor the activity of its satellite, ANGOSAT-2, which launched in October 2022.

10 October 2023
Image: Freepik