The Ethiopian Government on Wednesday said it generated 71.6 million dollars from the export of gold within the first quarter fiscal year.
The government said in a statement issued by Challa Bonsa, Assistant Head of Public Relations and Communications in the Ministry of Mines, that the amount was realised from the commodity supplied to its National Bank (NBE) by artisanal miners.
“The amount was obtained from 1,890kg of gold supplied by artisanal miners during the period,
“Compared to the Ministry’s projection for the first quarter, the amount of gold supplied to the Central Bank is nearly 73 per cent,’’ the statement said.
It said that the artisans had also supplied other minerals, including tantalums and gemstones, which generated 550,000 US dollars during the same period under review
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Northern Region of Ethiopia is rich in gold and other extractive mineral resources.
NAN reports that the extractive resources contribute about 30 per cent of the country’s annual revenue earnings. (NAN)
