Ethiopia is rich in many types of minerals; among them are opal, emerald, ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, tourmaline, amazonite, quartz and other precious minerals. Information indicates that the minerals are found in different areas of the country. The recent Mining Expo has shown this.
When it comes to precious minerals, it is impossible not to mention jewelry made from precious minerals. Especially recently, jewelry made of precious minerals have been widely produced and offered to the local and foreign markets. Currently, the mineral suppliers are adding value to the precious minerals and exporting them to America, India, China and other countries.
One of these mineral exporters is Sozo Trading Plc. According to Banchialem Maru, the owner of the organization; The Company adds value to precious minerals and turns them into jewelry and supplies them to the local and foreign markets. It has been 15 years since the company started exporting value added precious minerals. It has been three years since the company began the business. It markets these value added minerals and jewelry to USA, China, Canada, India and similar countries.
Banchialem mentioned that, Ethiopia is rich in both industrial and precious minerals. She stated that, their company takes over these minerals from producers located in different parts of the country and processes them for various purposes by adding value.
The jewelry made from the mineral is placed on the neck, ears and hands. In a different way, the company makes and markets wedding rings. Opal, emerald, ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, tourmaline, amazonite, quartz, sapphire, garnet and many similar minerals are used to make the jewelry.
Banchialem pointed out that seven of the nine most precious minerals in the world are found in Ethiopia. She said that the company manufactures bracelets, necklaces and earrings made of gold, silver and other precious minerals. Sozo Trading plc has two production sites where it produces its minerals; it has created job opportunities for many citizens and currently has 70 permanent and several temporary employees.
Banchialem said that the company also markets its mineral and jewelry products in various places in the country. The domestic market is constantly improving. “Jewelry minerals are worn for any occasion and they can be precious gifts to express our happiness, respect and love to our loved ones.” She also said that the precious minerals are precious gifts that are handed down to generation in the foreign world and treated with respect.
Banchialem added that the mining sector was not given much attention until recently. “I believe this sector can feed up to 20 million Ethiopians; this is not just wishful thinking, but a proven fact. The sector is able to embrace a lot of manpower in the chains starting from drilling to extracting, beautifying, shaping and organizing and marketing the product,” she explained.
As to her, precious minerals’ jewelry production is worth more than nine billion Dollars in the world. The amount of Ethiopia’s share will be determined when more investors enter the sector. It is when young people have the knowledge and experience.
Stating that jewelry minerals are reasonable in terms of price and do not harm the society’s pocket; Banchialem said that the price of the jewelry starts from 500 Birr depending on the type. But now, it is being done in a different way to prepare and provide jewelry for children at a lower price. The reason why the price of the minerals is high is because the materials used to make the jewelry are bought from foreign countries at high prices.
She mentioned that it is becoming common to buy and use artificial jewelry in our country. Instead of buying and using these jewelries regularly, she suggested that we should use precious mineral jewelries which are a gift of nature. Doing this can be useful in promoting our country’s minerals, she suggested.
She said that they participate in various exhibitions and other places to promote these mineral products. In the past, the buyers of precious metals were foreigners and rarely Ethiopians. Now Ethiopians are showing interest in buying these products and learning about the minerals.
Banchialem suggested that many investors should be involved in the sector. Their investment will create an opportunity to strengthen the sector. She also mentioned that there are only a few who are at the top in the field. The sector can create job opportunities for many young people, and the society should give great value to the precious minerals, which are trans-generational resources. “With our own wealth, we should adorn ourselves and shine and introduce our wealth to the rest of the world,” he emphasized.
Another exporter of precious minerals is Sebahan Gemstone Empire Plc. The company has been in the jewelry business for many years. It has been in the business of decorating the precious minerals for about four years.
Hana Yohannes, the owner of the company, said that the company produces precious minerals and jewelry and supplies them to the local and foreign markets. There is no difference in using precious minerals as jewelry compared to the previous jewelry works. Hanna explained that turning precious minerals into jewelry requires special knowledge and education in carving, cutting and decorating.
As of her, there are more than 300 minerals used for jewelry in Ethiopia. All kinds of precious stones like opal, emerald, sapphire, ruby, peridot and so on can be made into various jewelry using gold, silver and similar accessories. Different types of ornaments can be produced according to the needs of the people.
Stating that her company takes over these minerals from miners organized by association in the region and uses machines to beautify and embellish them (adding values) and produce jewelry, Hanna pointed out that she manufactures jewelry for neck, ear, hand and finger rings and so on for both men and women.
The company has stores in the country where it promotes and sells its products. It markets its products in Europe and other countries. The jewelries made from minerals are in demand in the world market because of their high quality. The products range in price from expensive, medium and low price. There are also low-cost types that anyone can buy and use. These are products made from precious minerals. As they are designed for the society to beautify with its own mineral wealth, awareness creation towards the society is underway.
She also pointed out that there are precious metals’ jewelries that are sold below the price of other jewelries. There are people who are suspicious when the jewelry is said to be made of precious metals but upon looking closely, people’s attitudes and purchasing conditions are improving, and many people buy jewelry for gifts and for various events.
Mentioning that there is enough wealth of precious metals in the country to beautify by adding value, she announced that the minerals can be obtained from different areas as needed. Hanna pointed out that there is a problem with the materials/accessories used to make the jewelry, and most of the materials are not available in the country and are difficult to find.
Currently, the price of the jewelries is estimated from 2,000 to 25,000 Birr, excluding the expensive ones such as opal, emerald, and sapphire. Knowing that she would be proud to buy locally made precious minerals’ jewelry at a lower price; she asked the public to buy the jewelry. “We have to buy and use our products and introduce them to the world. As this happens, the sector is gaining attention and growing. We can do better,” she stressed.
Minister of Mines, Engineer Habtamu Tegegn said in November when he had a discussion with mineral exporters, precious minerals and jewelry suppliers, producers and exporters association; although Ethiopia is a major exporter of precious stones and minerals, the foreign exchange earnings from the sector are small compared to other countries.
He mentioned that, one of the reasons for this is the inability to provide value added precious minerals to the foreign market, and pointed out that all exporters should focus on adding value.
The Minister also mentioned that there are problems arising from the mineral exporters. The problems are obstacles to their work, and it is possible to achieve better results if the lack of skilled manpower and machinery in the sector are solved. He announced that the government will focus on creating finance, skills and market linkages to import machines needed to add value to products.
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 3 JANUARY 2023
