We’re the pioneer state owned corporation involved in large scale mechanized mining, exploration and export for over 80 years. We continue to exist because we know the industry inside-out and offer unmatched experience in all things mining in Ethiopia. Through years of accumulated experience and expertise, we have collected vast amounts of data that help us make informed decisions.
We believe in mutually beneficial partnerships and are open for real business impact through sharing our learnings and providing access to data for anyone exploring the untapped mineral potential of Ethiopia. We provide diversified market opportunities, help you navigate through the hurdles of acquiring mining licenses, and mitigate risks around discoverability and quality aspects.
1942
Adola Gold Development project that later became an Enterprise was established during Emperor Haile Selassie regime under the Ministry of Finance mandated to explore, develop, and produce alluvial and placer gold deposits in the Adola Region. Supported by the Swedish, Danish, Dutch, USA, and Yugoslavian exploration companies, Ethiopian geologists undertook an extensive study in the Adola region.
1949
In 1949 the first technologically advanced mechanized gold processing plant was introduced in Ethiopia by Adola Gold Development Enterprise and created over 6000 jobs.
1978
With the aim to discover more mineral deposits in the region and the country at large, in 1978 Adola Mineral Evaluation and Development Project (AMEDP) was established under AGDE focused on exploration and geological survey of the region in a modern way supported by technology and industry experts. The AMEDP with over 200 employees produced the first detailed geological map of the Adola Region in which it discovered the Adola belt and identified forty primary gold sources, numerous new alluvial deposits and a range of other rare metals which are being produced to date in Ethiopia.
The AMEDP’s most notable success was the discovery of the Legadembi Primary Gold deposit.
1982-1991
On December 7, 1982, Adola Gold Development Enterprise restructured to form Ethiopian Mineral Resources Development Corporation. The Corporation was established by Proclamation under the Ministry of Mines and Energy as an autonomous government-owned public enterprise. Mandated to undertake detailed mineral exploration of known mineral deposits, develop, produce, and process economic mineral deposits throughout the country.
1988
The Corporation established Legadembi Gold Mine plant in 1988 G.C. employing the latest in mineral extraction technology using equipment and expertise from around the world. The plant was established with the most up to date gold recovery system in Africa to produce 30 tonnes of gold per year with an investment cost of $90 million. In 1995 Legadembi Gold Mine was sold to a private company called MIDROC Group.
1988
About 550 KM from Addis Ababa in southeast of Shakiso town, in Kenticha locality the Corporation developed Tantalum deposit discovered by Adola Mineral Evaluation and Development Project through an extensive exploration work between 1983 – 1987 G.C. The Corporation under the Project set up a pilot plant in 1988 by importing technologies from the United Kingdom to produce 20 tons tantalite per year. In 1990 an industrial scale plant was erected to produce 200 tons making Ethiopia the 3rd in Africa and 6th largest tantalum producer globally.
1986
The development of Abijata Soda Ash Project started in 1986 following the discovery of 450 million tonnes of sodium carbonate at a concentration of 1.1 and 1.9% between Lake Shalla and Lake Abijata. In Early 1990 a semi-industrial pilot plant was opened on the banks of Lake Abijata with the capacity to produce 20,000 tonnes of soda ash per year at an initial investment cost of $15 million.
1986
Due to the commitment of the Corporation to develop the country’s resource for the benefit of the Ethiopian people, in 1986 the Corporation established the Bole Bulbula Construction Stones Enterprise to help the national housing and the enormous building programmes taking place in the capital; Addis Ababa. The plant was erected 10km outside of Addis Ababa and it was the biggest crushing facility of its kind in Ethiopia to produce aggregate with a production capacity of a million tonnes per year.
1989
The first gemstone value addition project was set up in 1989 at the Corporation’s Head Office, located in Addis Ababa. The Corporation trained its technicians in Italy to grade, cut and polish the wide range of precious and semi-precious stones that are found throughout Ethiopia. The workshop also makes jewelry and other ornaments for local and international markets.
1990
The Corporation undertook a feasibility study on the ceramic deposits of Kaolin, Feldspar, Quartz application discovered in abundance in different parts of Ethiopia. In 1990 EMRDC designed a new project and established the first processed Kaolin factory for Ceramic and Aluminum Sulfate raw material input to substitute import.
1991
Over the years the Portfolio of the EMRDC increased with diversified business units and continued to introduce new commodities to the market. However, due to the country’s strategic priority to attract private investment by capitalizing on EMRDC industry knowledge and know-how, in 1991 the EMRDC decentralized into four different independent Enterprises (Adola Gold Enterprise, Ethiopian Mineral Development Enterprise, Abijata Soda Ash Enterprise, and Bole Bulbula Construction Product Development Enterprise). Ethiopian Mineral Development Enterprise that later became a share company remained to develop the Tantalum and Kaolin Projects, while Adola Gold Enterprise took over the development of all gold related projects of the Corporation.
2015 AND 2020
Ethiopian Mineral Development S.C. merged with the Ethiopian Petroleum and Natural Gas Development Enterprise to form Ethiopian Mineral Petroleum and Biofuel Corporation (EMPBC).
On 18th December 2015 Ethiopian Mineral Petroleum and Biofuel Corporation was established by the Council of Ministers Regulations No. 367/2015 as a Federal Government Public Enterprise governed by public enterprise proclamation No. 25-1992, and supervised by the Ministry of Public Enterprise, with authorized capital of ETB 15,267,000,000 (Fifteen Billion Two Hundred Sixty-Seven Million Birr)
EMPBC was re-established by the Council of Ministers regulation No. 462/2020 on 11th February 2020 following a merger with its former enterprise Adola Gold.
Bole Sub-city, 22 Mazoria
Behind Awararis Hotel
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
Office : +251 11 869 9842
info@ethiopianminerals.gov.et
www.ethiopianminerals.gov.et
