ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia will earn up to 2 billion U.S. dollars in revenue from the export of gold in this Ethiopian fiscal year that started on July 8, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.
Abiy made the remark while inaugurating a gold exploration and mining factory in Dima district, Gambella regional state of Ethiopia, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency reported Wednesday.
"For the first time in Ethiopia's history, we anticipate earning up to 2 billion U.S. dollars solely from gold export this year. This goal is achievable thanks to sustained efforts over the past three years," Abiy stated.
The prime minister, however, said that this revenue potential reflects only a fraction of Ethiopia's untapped mineral wealth, which includes tantalum, iron ore, lithium and other valuable metal resources.
Abiy called for leveraging the country's rich mineral deposits for national development, noting that illegal mining and limited investment have long hindered the sector's growth and better earnings for the country.
The prime minister also reiterated the government's commitment to prioritizing the mining sector as a key driver of Ethiopia's economic transformation and announced plans to establish additional factories in a short period to harness the country's extensive mineral wealth.
