Ethiopia is strengthening environmental and community safeguards as it moves to expand gold production, Mines Minister Habtamu Tegegne said at an international mining conference in Addis Ababa.

The remarks were made during the International Cyanide Management Conference, which is being held in the capital for the first time, bringing together mining sector representatives from twelve countries alongside Ethiopian industry players.

Habtamu said the government is working to ensure that mineral production is carried out in a way that protects the environment and delivers tangible benefits to communities living around mining areas, as the sector plays a growing role in the country’s economic expansion.

He said coordinated efforts to scale up gold production have begun to deliver results, reflecting increased focus on harnessing Ethiopia’s mineral potential more effectively.

The conference follows MIDROC Gold Mine Plc’s certification under the International Cyanide Management Code in 2025, recognising its compliance with global standards on the safe use of cyanide in gold processing.

Habtamu said adherence to international benchmarks, including certification by the Cyanide Institute, is critical to ensuring responsible use of chemicals in mineral production.

He praised MIDROC Gold Mine for securing the certification and called on other mining companies operating in Ethiopia to adopt similar practices as the country advances its gold mining ambitions.