The Ethiopian Geological Survey identified 18 mineral-rich areas, including seven with industrial minerals such as iron ore in the Amhara region, six alluvial gold sites in Tigray and five gemstone deposits in the southern region, the state daily The Ethiopian Herald reported in July 2019, according to New Business Ethiopia. Alluvial gold is gold found in river sand and gravel.
The survey said close to 4,000 pieces of information about the findings had been shared with research institutes, industries, researchers and investors, and that many foreign companies had shown interest in exploration and mining.
“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,” said Tameru Mersha, the survey’s communication director.
About 135 mining companies were operating in Ethiopia at the time, 80 of them licensed for exploration and the rest producing minerals. The country has deposits of gold, silver, iron ore and precious stones, and it produces industrial minerals and building materials.
Sources: New Business Ethiopia