MIDROC spending over $200 million on gold mining in Benishangul 

Borkena

Toronto – MIDROC Investment Group, a company owned by Ethiopian born Saudi Billionaire Mohammed Al-Amoudi, is reportedly spending over 26 billion Ethiopian birr ( over $US200 million) on a factory to process gold mining. 

Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), state owned media, reported that the plant will be built in Bullen District of Metekel zone in Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia. The district has a recent history of persistent and horrifying ethnic massacres – particularly targeting Amharas who lived in the area for many generations. 

The security situation in the area appears to have been improved as there were no reports of violence in the area – especially after Fano forces took up arms with a stated objective of reversing “existential threats Amharas” nearly two years ago. 

The source added that MIDROC Investment Group representatives held discussion in Gelgel Beles town with senior level government officials of the region.  The officials have reportedly pledged that officials at different levels of government will do their part to ensure that the company produces gold in accordance with its plan. 

Surafel Lakew, MIDROC Investment Group Mining Sector Director,  is cited as saying that his company is building a factory in Bullen district to produce gold in a “modern way.” Practices of traditional gold production are common in many parts of Ethiopia.  The company seeks to “increase revenue from the sector by extracting gold in a “modern way.”

When operational the factory will create over 1500 jobs, Surefel added. He also says building the factory will help “avoid wastage of resources in the sector and deter illicit circulation of gold.” 

MIDROC’s Gold Mining Licenses for the mining site in Lega Dembi, Oromia region of Ethiopia, was cancelled in 2018 following a string of what appeared to be politicized protest when the activist Jawar Mohammed was acting like the commander of Querro movement.  The license was cancelled on alleged grounds of “environmental pollution” due to chemicals that are used in the process of gold production. 

Some sources indicate that MIDROC has a turnover of over US $25 billion and employs over 70,000 work forces across the country. 

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