FATAL ATTACK FORCES SUSPENSION OF ETHIOPIA GOLD MINE OPERATIONS

Operations at a developing gold mine in Ethiopia have been suspended following a violent security incident that left several people dead. The incident occurred last Friday at the Tulu Kapi gold project in the Oromia region, which is being developed by Kefi Gold and Copper. The company said the attack resulted in multiple fatalities, including security personnel, members of the surrounding community and one of its employees.

Kefi Gold and Copper said it had immediately halted activities at the site following the security breach and would not resume operations until adequate security assurances were established. The Tulu Kapi project began development work in March 2026 and had been scheduled to commence gold production in 2028. Before the incident, the company was working on key infrastructure, including an access road and electricity connections needed to support the future mining operation.

The exact circumstances surrounding the attack and the number of people killed have not been publicly disclosed. Authorities and the company have also not identified those responsible, although the wider Oromia region has experienced persistent insecurity, including violence linked to armed ethnic-nationalist groups. The incident has therefore raised fresh concerns about the security environment surrounding major mining investments in the region.

Kefi said discussions were expected to take place with the Ethiopian government and other stakeholders to determine how security at the project can be strengthened before work resumes. The company, which also operates mining interests in Saudi Arabia, had been progressing with infrastructure development while preparing for the eventual commencement of gold production. It also has plans connected to the resettlement and compensation of communities affected by the project.

The suspension comes at a sensitive time for Ethiopia's mining industry, with gold remaining an important source of foreign exchange for the country. Government figures cited in reports show that gold exports generated about $5.65 billion in the previous year. The Tulu Kapi incident is therefore likely to intensify scrutiny of security arrangements around mining sites as authorities and investors seek to prevent further disruptions and protect workers and nearby communities.