According to reports, De Beers has found Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to be promising zones for exploration activities, and as such, intends to acquire new mining projects in the two regions. It said that the possibility of new mines being opened depends upon their economic and social viability. According to De Beers spokesperson Marie-Chantal Kaninda De Beers is assessing kimberlites in Lunda and Bié regions in partnership with Endiama, the state-owned diamond firm.%% In a statement, Angola's Geology and Mining Minister, Manuel Africano, said that Angola would net about $1 billion from diamond sales via the Endiama diamond company, in 2007. De Beers was awarded three concessions by Endiama near its Lunda Nordeste concession, during early-2007.