ADDIS ABABA -Ethiopia has secured over one billion USD revenue from mine exports over the past six months, the Ministry of Mines announced.
Approached by the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Mines State Minister Million Mathewos said that the country has generated more than one billion USD revenue from mining exports in the past six months, achieving 278% of the planned 376 million USD income.
The ministry also supplied some 16.9 tons of gold to the National Bank of Ethiopia, he mentioned.
During the past six months, Ethiopia was working to export 180 tons of tantalum, 6.5 tons of opal, over 14 tons of ornamentals, 1,400 meter cubes of limestone, 6000 tons of lithium ore and 18, 750 tons of industry mines.
However, Million said that the country has exported over 105 tons of tantalum, 2,071 tons of lithium, 5.6 tons of opal, 10, 357 tons of industry products and others, he noted.
Excluding gold and ornamental mines, it was planned to generate 22.4 million USD, but it generated 16.4 million USD, achieving 73% of the plan. The ministry prepared a guideline to commence a modern ornamental marketing system, he added.
Traditional mining processing enterprises have created job opportunities to over 102, 000 citizens during the aforementioned period. The recently undertaken macroeconomic reform measure has greatly contributed to surpass the export plan, Million stated.
Furthermore, the massive measures to combat contraband mining activities and others have been implemented to block illegal smuggling and others. The concerned bodies made significant reforms in the mining sector to boost production and productivity including establishment of mining trading centers to boost sector revenue, he underscored.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2025
