Oromia Regional State has generated over USD 163.74 million in revenue from mineral exports within the last seven months. This export figure comes alongside domestic earnings which reached Birr 1.036 billion.
Officials aimed for USD 306.81 million in foreign currency earnings from mining exports during this period, achieving over half of that target at USD 163.74 million while domestic revenue goals were set at Birr 1.368 billion.
Construction and industrial minerals emerged as the primary income sources, according to Mrs. Tigist Terefe, Deputy Head of the Oromia Mineral Development Authority (OMDA). The Deputy Head significant contributions to the region's "royalty" income from gold and other precious metals. Production figures revealed the extraction of 18.58 million cubic meters of construction materials like basalt, sand, and ignimbrite, alongside 6.11 million tons of industrial minerals including limestone, gypsum, and coal.
However, Mrs. Terfe highlighted challenges related to marketing and distribution of illegally mined products, particularly regarding coal. Addressing these concerns, authorities reformed the mineral production permit system across the region, ensuring operations comply with legal regulations. Non-compliant producers faced legal actions, leading to a noticeable improvement in construction and industrial mineral production.
It is to be recalled that in March last year, OMDA called investors and associations that are engaged in the mining industry across Oromia to re-register their business citing smuggling and widespread illegal activities as bottlenecks for the proper management of the industry in the region. Oromia is reported to have untapped mineral potentials. However, the Regional State has only availed 10% of its mineral resources. The Oromia Mineral Development Authority was reorganized in 2019 with the aim of improving its working capacity. Gold, copper, coal, emerald, and gypsum are some of the minerals that are found in the Regional State.
Source: Addis Zemen
Additional source: 2Merkato Archives
