Mining is important to the economy of Ethiopia as a diversification from agriculture. Currently, mining comprises only 1% of GDP. Gold, gemstones (diamonds and sapphires), and industrial minerals are important commodities for the country's export-oriented growth strategy.[1]
The country has deposits of coal, opal, gemstones, kaolin, iron ore, soda ash, and tantalum, but only gold is mined in significant quantities. In Salt extraction from salt beds in the Afar Depression, as well as from salt springs in Dire and Afder districts in the south, is only of internal importance and only a negligible amount is exported.
Tantalum mining has also been profitable.[2] It was reported that in the late 1980s, the mineral industry lacked importance given that it contributed less than 0.2 percent of Ethiopia's GDP.[3] Mining for gold is a key development sector in the country. Gold export, which was just US$5 million in 2001, has recorded a large increase to US$602 million in 2012.[4] 2001 gold production amounted to some 3.4 tons.[5]
- ^ Newsome, Matthew (August 30, 2012). "Gold mining promises big boost for Ethiopia's development". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ Belda 2006, p. 87.
- ^ Ofcansky & Berry 2004, p. 201.
- ^ "Mineral sector in Ethiopia". UK Trade and Investment. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ Ethiopia country profile Archived 2005-07-17 at the Wayback Machine. Library of Congress Federal Research Division (April 2005). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.