Protesters Demand Ethiopia Cancel Billionaire’s Gold-Mine Permit (Bloomberg)

  • ย Demonstrators say pollution caused illness, livestock deaths
  • Government extended mining license for a decade last month

Byย 

Protesters in Ethiopiaโ€™s restive Oromia region demanded the government withdraw a gold-mining permit from a company owned by Saudi billionaireย Mohammed al-Amoudibecause of alleged pollution.

Demonstrators have blockaded roads in Shakiso, 358 kilometers (222 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa, since April 30 to press their demand thatย Mohammed International Development & Research Organization Companiesโ€™ license to mine the metal be canceled, said Addisu Bullalla, a spokesman for the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress. Protests have spread to the towns of Ginchi and Nekemte in western Oromia, he said.
ย The demonstrations โ€œwill spread all across Oromia if the government doesnโ€™t cancel this agreement, bring Midroc to justice, and make Midroc pay compensation for the damage they have caused,โ€ Addisu said.
ย The protests echo unrest that erupted three years ago at the mine and became part of large-scale anti-government rallies that earlier this year culminated in the resignation of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. The demonstrations have left hundreds of people dead and the country is under its second state of emergency in two years.
ย Deformities, Deaths

Critics of Midrocโ€™s mine allege the company dumped chemicals from its operations near Shakiso into rivers used by residents and livestock for drinking water, resulting in birth deformities and animal deaths. Defense Minister Motuma Mekessa visited Shakiso at the weekend to mediate the dispute, but failed to resolve it, Alemayehu Hirbora, the townโ€™s head of social affairs, said by phone.

Midroc Chief Executive Officer Arega Yidaw hung up when Bloomberg called his mobile phone seeking comment. He didnโ€™t respond to three further calls, a text message, and emailed questions. The companyโ€™s environmental director, Negussie Assefa, declined to comment.

Midroc produces 4.5 metric tons of gold at the Lega Dembi mine in Shakiso, according to the companyโ€™sย website.

โ€œWe donโ€™t want the community harmed chemically,โ€ Bacha said by phone. โ€œWe are now consulting.โ€

A state minister at the Mines Ministry, Tewodros Gebre Egziabher,ย saidย May 1 on state-owned Oromia Broadcasting Network that it was a โ€œmistakeโ€ to renew the license without prior discussion with the local community.

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