ANGOLA'S Chitotolo mining company does more than just dig for minerals. Its prospecting operations also search out human 'diamonds in the rough' among the people in nearby communities through a series of groundbreaking social and educational programs. "We employ a staff of 1,100 people in the region where we operate, and figuring that the average family size is six or seven members, we have a direct impact on the lives of roughly 8,000 people in a community of 40,000," says Chitotolo managing director Naïm Martins Cardoso.

"It is important that we have a good relationship with the population and look for entrepreneurial solutions that meet the needs of the community." Small, illegal mining operations dig into Chitotolo's profits and government tax revenues. These illegal diamond seekers, Mr. Cardoso says, usually have no other way to make a living and many are young people who have no incentive to continue their education because schools are poorly equipped and inadequately run. "Chitotolo is currently in the beginning stages of a social undertaking called Project Education," Mr. Cardoso explains.

"We will equip schools, motivate pupils and bring in knowledge-able teachers. " The project also envisions training programs for 17 to 18-year-olds who will eventually be offered jobs with Chitotolo. "The program has two objectives: to reduce the number of youth in the mines and to replace our employees who are nearing retirement age with qualified young employees. It's not entirely philanthropy," Mr. Cardoso acknowledges, "It's just a way to benefit the mining project and the community."