Diamonds in the RoughDiamonds in the Rough explores the lives of African laborers on Angolas diamond mines from the commencement of operations in 1917 to the colonys independence from Portugal in 1975. The mines were owned and operated by the Diamond Company of Angola, or Diamang, which enjoyed exclusive mining and labor concessions granted by the colonial government. Through these monopolies, the company became the most profitable enterprise in Portugals African empire.