Ethiopia has earned over $274 million from the export of minerals over the past nine months.
Presenting his ministry’s performance report to the House of People’s Representatives on Friday, Habtamu Tegene, minister of mining said this year’s production is higher by 12.6 percent compared to last year’s same period and the revenue has shown “83 percent” growth.
He said the stated sum of money was earned after 2.14 tons of gold were supplied to the international market.
The minister said his office’s key focus during the budget year was to produce export minerals extensively and qualitatively, supply to the market and generate foreign currency.
The minister also told the House of People’s Representative that many of the mining sites in the country are in areas where armed groups are operating.
“Mining areas in Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul are mostly under “armed groups,” said the minister.
Ethiopia’s mineral resources reportedly remained of minor contribution to the national economy.
MG/as/APA