Ethiopian Mineral, Petroleum, & Biofuel Corporation inaugurated its Central Mineral Analysis Laboratory & Gemstone Workshop, which taste and analyse mineral samples. The Corporation tasked with exploring, producing and selling fuel and minerals, including biofuels, moved its laboratory to Addis Abeba from its previous location in Shakiso. “We’ve received more than 1,200 different samples from local companies each weighing 400gm,” said Mulugeta Seid, CEO of the Corporation. “We have the capacity to do an analysis not only for the local mining companies but also for other countries as well.” There are only two mining laboratories in the country, Ezana Mining Development Plc and the Geological Survey of Ethiopia. This shortage of laboratories forces private mining companies to look for laboratory services in other countries like England, Moscow, Holland and South Africa.