A modern gold exploration and mining factory launched in western Ethiopia. The country's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, participated in the opening ceremony in the town of Dima in the Gambella Region.
"We extend our congratulations on this significant investment in Akobo Woreda, Gambela Region. For the past three decades, the town of Dima in Akobo Woreda has primarily engaged in small-scale, traditional gold mining, often resulting in considerable wastage," the prime minister said.
The factory was built with the participation of ETNO Mining Company, a subsidiary of Scandinavian-based Akobo Minerals, in partnership with the Ethiopian government.
Abiy Ahmed underscored during the ceremony that this year the country is going to obtain $2 billion in revenue from gold exports.
Earlier, Mines and Petroleum Minister Million Mathewos said that the ministry is overseeing the construction of three new gold mining plants that are expected to boost the sector's profits to $800 million in the 2017 financial year.
Ethiopia's 2017 fiscal year began on July 8 this year and will end on July 7, 2025.