Amhara Region Achieves Significant Economic Milestone with Mineral Import Substitution

Amhara region: The Amhara Region Mining Resource Development Bureau has announced that mineral products valued at more than 246.1 million USD were produced through import substitution during the first nine months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year. This major economic milestone aligns directly with the implementation of Ethiopia's Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, which prioritizes the mining sector as a critical pillar for accelerating national economic growth, reducing foreign currency expenditure, and driving regional prosperity.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the region also licensed 169 new mining investment projects, generated nearly 13 million USD from gold and opal exports, and created employment opportunities for more than 33,000 citizens during the reported period. Public Relations Director of the bureau, Zinaw Abebe, told the agency that the region's vast mineral resources are being developed through both modern and artisanal mining methods supported by systematic geological studies.He st ated that 18 mineral exploration and research projects carried out in collaboration with regional higher education institutions were completed and handed over during the current fiscal year. According to Zinaw, the studies confirmed the commercial viability of a wide range of resources, including industrial minerals used for construction, metallic and iron-related minerals, precious stones, and energy-related mineral inputs.By presenting the research findings to prospective investors, the bureau facilitated the launch of 169 licensed mining projects that became operational over the past nine months. As a result, more than 2.4 million tons of minerals, including gypsum, limestone, silica sand, coal, marble, and granite, were extracted, helping the country save over 246.1 million USD through import substitution.The bureau further disclosed that more than 18,500 kilograms of raw and value-added opal, along with gold, were supplied to the central market, generating nearly 13 million USD in foreign currency ea rnings. The sector's expansion has also created employment opportunities for more than 33,000 citizens, contributing to improved socio-economic livelihoods across the region.Zinaw noted that the mining sector has fully met local demand for construction inputs, supporting the rapid pace of infrastructure development in urban centers throughout the region. He added that a geological mapping project covering 25 percent of the region has been completed, identifying the spatial distribution and locations of 51 different mineral resources.