ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Geological Survey revealed that it has identified 18 mineral-rich areas across the country and distributed 4000 geological information in this budget year.
Tameru Mersha, Communication Director at the Ethiopian Geological Survey said that seven industrial minerals, six alluvial gold and five gemstone deposits were identified in Amahara, Tigray, and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ (SNNP) states respectively.
Promoting investment is one of the major aims of the study. Following the scientific studies conducted by the Institute to identify nation’s mineral resource potential areas and the information distributed to stakes closely linked to the sector, many foreign companies have shown keen interest to take part in the mineral exploration and mining business, according to him.
Other than that, the scientific studies have vital effects in terms of increasing product and productivity by improving the technique of treating soil acidity, feeding industries and advancing the construction sector as some of the minerals can be used in chemical and metallurgical industries.
Currently, there are approximately 135 functional companies of which; while 80 companies are licensed and involved in the exploration activity, the rest are engaged in the production of various minerals.
Close to 4000 information were distributed to research institutes, industries, researchers, and investors, reiterated the Director. “The government is committed to create more jobs from the sector. To this effect, our Institute is working focusing on directly linking youth in the already identified mineral rich areas. Thus, massive job opportunities are created for the youths in those areas.”
Ethiopia has a wide variety of mineral resources including gold, silver, iron-ore and various types of precious stones. It also produces industrial minerals such as gemstones granite gypsum, as well as a number of construction inputs, as learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald, July 3/2019
BY BETHLHEM BEDLU
