Energy and Mining

Tullow Oil to launch Drilling

Tullow Oil is set launch drilling activities on its concession in the South Omo region of Ethiopia. The international gas and oil exploration company expects to begin drilling in January of 2013 according to a senior official with the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines.

Tullow Oil had informed Ethiopian officials of oil reserves potentially larger then discovered in Uganda or Kenya while the company was finalizing its Full Tensor Gradimametric Gravity Survey and collecting seisimic Data.

The company’s management has assured Ethiopian authorities of oil discoveries within a year although officials have been reluctant to raise expectations amongst the public with more evidence it was said.

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Ethiopia Expanding Alternative Energy Technology

Ethiopia is successfully enhancing alternative energy technology announced the Ministry of Water and Energy. State energy bureaus are collaborating with the ministry to introduce the use of fuel saving stoves among the public in rural areas said Bizuneh Tolcha, Director of Public Relations and Communications with the ministry.

The ministry has been able to distribute more than 3 million stoves in the last two years out of a total of 9 million planned to be distributed in the 5 year development (Growth and Transformation Program) plan he said.

The fuel efficient stoves save time and labor as well as eliminating health combinations which is why much attention has been paid to the distribution of stoves noted Bizuneh.

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China to Partner with Ethiopia in Renewable Energy

China is to partner with Ethiopia in the renewable energy sector according to Wondimu Tekle, Minister of State for Water and Energy.

It is expected that China will assist Ethiopia in its efforts to develop the renewable sources said Wondimu.

Ethiopia has the estimated potential to generate 60,000 MW of electricity of which 45,000 MW is expected to come from hydro power and 15,000 MW from other renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar and wind power.

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Nyota Definitive Feasibility Study Progressing

Nyota Minerals announced that the Definitive Feasibility Study for its Tulu Kapi project in Ethiopia is progressing well and is still expected to be completed in next half of the year.

Nyota has submitted some technical elements of the ongoing DFS to the Ministry of Mines to support its application for a mining license according to the report.

The company said that the ongoing infill drilling program planned to convert a further 260 thousand ounces of inferred resources to the indicated category is now 90% complete.

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Salt Deposits Discovered in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has significant salt deposits according to studies conducted at various times said the Ministry of Mines. The resources are estimated to be sufficient for more than 100 years said the ministry.

The studies conducted show that the salt resources are to be found in parts of Afar and Somali regional states explained Bacha Fuji, Director of the Public Relations Directorate of the Ministry. The Dalol area in Afar Regional State is particularly notable for large salt reserves he said.

Efforts are underway to begin salt exports to generate foreign currency from the sector noted Bacha. Four companies currently engaged in salt production secured more than 30 million US dollars from the export of salt in the just concluded fiscal year he added.

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