[2] The city was formerly known as Henrique de Carvalho, a Portuguese explorer, who visited the region in 1884 and first made contact with the local Lunda people.

[3] Saurimo is located in northeastern Angola at an elevation of 1,084 m (3,556 ft) above sea level.

[3] The main economic activities in Saurimo include agriculture, farming, and diamonds.

The SMC (Sociedade Mineira de Catoca) is one of the world's largest mining areas, along with Endiama which helps distribute its diamonds worldwide.

As of April 2023, there are announcements of a branch line from Luena on the Benguela Railway to Saurimo.