- MINTEX 2024 Expo kicks off
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has continued to aspire to secure access to and from the sea as the strategic move to remove barriers to trade and transport, said President Taye Atseke Selassie.
President Taye officially launched the 3rd Mining and Technology Expo (MINTEX) 2024 yesterday at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa.
In his opening remarks, President Taye said that Ethiopia has continued to aspire to secure access to and from the sea as the strategic move to remove barriers to trade and transport. The government’s major investments in connectivity infrastructure, designed to reduce logistical costs and enhance operational efficiency.
“Today, critical raw materials and their supply chains are not only the source of wealth, but also increasingly becoming tools of geo-economic endeavors. They are defining the strategic
importance of a country. Abundant mineral resources offer immense potential for growth and prosperity. However, their true value lies in how they are exploited.”
According to the President, Artisans mining has sustained the livelihoods of 1.5 million people. The sector remained largely underdeveloped. The newly introduced mining policy prioritizes a transparent regulatory environment, attracting both domestic and foreign investment, promoting sustainable mining practice and fostering strong engagement with the wider public.
It is critical for existing and potential investors to introduce cutting-edge technology and establish dedicated departments to transfer knowledge and expertise, and investors to align with the global supply chain to align and ensure fair and equitable mining landscape to stimulate the mining sector, he emphasized.
For his part, Mines Minister Habtamu Tegegne said that the government has been heavily investing in various infrastructures to foster mining development. Moreover, the country connected to Djibouti through Ethio-Djibouti railway and Ethiopian Airlines will also provide pivotal opportunities for the global mining sector. Reliable network infrastructure and a young and dynamic workforce will establish leverage for the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s mining sector productivity.
He also stressed the significance of recent macroeconomic reforms in attracting investment to the mining sector, with the government committed to supporting investors and fostering stronger partnerships.
The country has reserves of lithium, tantalum, Nickel and other rare metals that are in high demand for green energy solutions, advanced technologies and the digital economy. Sustainable mining practice is essential for securing social license, to operate and protecting natural resources and the future generations would be dependent on. The government is committed to fostering a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and social responsibility.
The MINTEX 2024 Expo, which has been held annually in Addis Ababa for the past two years, will remain open to the public for four days, showcasing the latest innovations in mining technology and industry developments, it was learnt.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 24 NOVEMBER 2024
