Angola’s Central Bie Province, notorious for its illegal diamond mining and trading, has made illegal diamond activities a thing of the past, according to Isaac Artur Paulino dos Santos, the Provincial Director of Industry, Geology & Mining, the Angola Press reports.

The illegal mining, which until recently had been carried out regularly in the districts of Nharea and Andulo, is now practically obsolete due to strong measures taken by the Angolan Armed Forces together with the National Police.

“Before, our institution estimated about 300,000 foreign citizens in those regions, but at the moment there are almost no individuals involved in such illegal diamond activities,” commented Mr. dos Santos.

The official went on to mention that in light of the steps taken to stamp out the illegal diamond mining and trading, foreigners no longer work with illegal diamonds. He added that any trading carried out is by way of small scale commercial activities, which mainly serve the area’s local citizens.