Ethiopia’s emerald export from Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNP) states for the first 9 months of the current fiscal year brought 4.3 million USD. The news was disclosed by Ministry of Minerals, Petroleum and Natural Gases (MMPNG).
During the 9 months period, 15 exporters put 465 kilograms of emerald to the international market. However, out of these 15 exporters it is only one of them that is involved both in production and extraction of the mineral.
The period was also full of challenges for the Ministry by problems posed by the illicit trade of the mineral. MMPNG also disclosed it plans to work harder to control the extraction and the sales of emerald in the country. In addition to this, the Ministry noted, that it is looking for ways to add values to the mineral before exporting it.
Emerald is said to be the second most wanted and expensive mineral. It is only next to diamond in such aspects.
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