The fourth Traditional Artisan Miners Forum is scheduled to be held in Mizan-Aman town, January 23-27, 2014, according to the Ethiopian Press Agency.

The theme of the forum is “New transitional period for the integrated traditional mining products and improving way of production,” the Ministry of Mines announced.

Minister Tolosa Shagi told journalists that the objective of the forum would be to support the sector through creating a platform for experience sharing.

There are now about one million traditional artisan miners in the sector which benefits six — seven million people, according to Tolosa.

Jointly organized by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples and Gambella states, the forum would be attended by traditional miners, investors, large mining companies and other stakeholders.

Source: Ethiopian Press Agency