The Ministry of Mines & Petroleum has issued ten mining licences for seven companies with investments valued at a total of 258 million Br.  Seven of the licences are issued for exploration, while the rest are for production.

The agreements for exploration last for up to three years, while the permits for production remain for up to 10 years.

Samuel Urkato (PhD), minister for Mining & Petroleum, signed the agreements with the representatives of the respective companies at the premises of the Ministry late last week.

The seven companies will create job opportunities for 287 people when they become active.

Three of the mining licences were issued to Sansheng Building Materials Plc. Sansheng has signed an agreement to explore for gold in Gambela Regional State, to explore for gold and iron in Oromia Regional State and to explore for gold and base metals in Somali Regional State.

Challing County Xintuo Mining also received a license to explore for gold and limestone in Gambela Regional State.

Zhongshun Cement Manufacturing secured a license to explore for limestone in Oromia Regional State. Ethiopian Longxing Stone Materials Mining Plc also got permission to examine basalt in Amhara Regional State, while Ethiopia Bestred Mining Industry received a license to explore iron, phosphate and titanium.

Kripto Mining and Chemicals Ltd secured a license for large-scale coal production in SNNPR, Dawro Zone Konta Special Wereda and a permit for small-scale Chromite production in Benishangu Gumuz, Metekel Wereda.

Sidama Small Scale Gold Mining & Trading Plc also secured a license to mine gold in SNNPR, Sidama Zone.

“The mining companies agreed to operate without harming and polluting the area,” said Michael Mengesha, communication director at the Ministry of Mines & Petroleum, which issued 24 mining licenses in the just-ended fiscal year out of the requested 60, a record high.