Angolan Minister of Geology and Mining Manuel Africano has said the country exported 35,677 cubic meters of black granite, about 94 percent of its total output in 2005 and earned about 1.4 million U.S. dollars.

Addressing the traditional ceremony of yearend compliments, Africano was quoted by local media as saying on Monday that Angola 's sub-sector of ornamental rocks, comprising a pool of 11 firms, produced 38,000 cubic meters of black granite in 2005.

He said the export increased by 137 percent in 2005 compared with 2004, having the gross revenue recorded an increment of 89.5 percent and the fiscal income reached 178 percent.

He contributed the increment to four new firms that are part of the sub-sector launching program.

Angola is rich in black granite, also a major African country to export black granite.

Source: Xinhua