The Amhara Regional State's mining sector is reporting significant success, with over 20,000 kilograms (22.046 tons) of opal mined in the region being channeled to the international market through the central trading system in the past nine months. The Regional Mineral Resources Development Bureau announced the substantial export volume, highlighting the growing contribution of precious stones to the regional economy.
According to the bureau's head, Haile Abebe, this export of raw opal has already generated over 7.4 million US dollars in foreign currency. The bureau is now focusing on increasing the value of its exports, with efforts underway to supply value-added opal products in the remaining quarter of the current fiscal year.
The Amhara region is actively seeking to further capitalize on its mineral wealth by attracting both domestic and international investors. The focus is on developing the region's diverse mineral resources and boosting revenue generation from the sector through strategic partnerships and support for investors.
Beyond opal, the bureau also reported the supply of 76 kilograms of gold to the National Bank of Ethiopia during the same nine-month period, indicating a broader contribution of the mining sector to the national economy.
Data from the Regional Mineral Resources Development Bureau reveals a notable increase in opal exports compared to the previous fiscal year, where over 2.3 million US dollars was earned from opal shipped internationally through the central market. According to ENA, this significant year-on-year growth underscores the increasing importance of opal mining as a key revenue stream for the Amhara region.