WIC reported that the Ethiopia’s ministry of mines & energy has licensed 29 companies to be engaged in lime stone exploration and development activities.

Mr Alemayehu Tegenu, minister of mines & energy of Ethiopia said that 15 of the companies have been licensed for limestone exploration while the rest secure the licensed for limestone production activities. He added that the ministry would support the companies to enhance their productivity in the coming few years.

Mr Tegenu indicated that Ethiopia is endowed with a huge amount of lime stone resource, which can be exploited for the cement production in the country. Moreover, the ministry is facilitating the importation of coal which is the major energy source of the cement factories.

Mr Alemayehu further said that his ministry is exerting efforts to expedite the development of the abundant renewable energy sources in the country. The ministry is working on the under ground energy which is accessible in 150 square kilometers.

(Sourced from www.waltainfo.com)