Ethiopia launches its first National Precious Metals Refinery
The facility at Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone is expected to process more than 600 tons annually, supporting local mineral processing and serving markets across East Africa and the continent
African countries continue to invest in infrastructure to support economic development, including facilities that allow them to process their minerals before exporting them.
Ethiopia recently launched its National Precious Metals Refinery at Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone. The launch comes as several African countries seek to establish refineries to add value to their mineral resources before exporting them.
One of the African countries that also recently launched a refinery is Burkina Faso, which opened its first gold refinery known as the Raffinerie Nationale d’Or du Burkina Faso.
According to AMN, the National Precious Metals Refinery was established through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) and Sam Precious Metals.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who inaugurated the country’s first national precious metals refinery, said the facility is designed to process more than 600 tons per year.
“The National Precious Metals Refinery, constructed within the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone, has the capacity to serve not only Ethiopia but also the broader East African and pan-African markets. By providing internationally credible refining and testing services, it enables neighbouring countries and regional mining companies to bring their gold to Ethiopia for advanced refining, certification, value addition, and sale, eliminating the need to export it outside the continent,” said Ahmed Ali.
He added that one of the key objectives of launching this refinery is to create greater value at home through resource extraction and industrial transformation.
