Kefi Minerals, the gold exploration company with projects in Tulu Kapi, Oromia, disclosed four of its employees have been released after they were abducted since early September 2021.
"Four of Tulu Kapi's employees and contractors were captured during inspections of traffic routes for the project," Kefi said in its statement.
Since last month, The UK-listed mining company suspended operations at its flagship project in Tulu Kapi, located approximately 360km due west of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. It has cited the abduction of its employees as one of the reasons for making such a move.
This incident reinforces the importance of safety for all stakeholders involved in the Project, the community and its employees and contractors, the international financiers and other parties committed to the safety and success of the Tulu Kapi Project, the company said.
The company added "it has remained eager to proceed with the Project as soon as possible, whilst also meeting the requirements to comply with appropriate security and other standard."
Recently, officials of the Ministry of Mines warned the executives of Kefi that there is a possibility of revoking the license of the mining company if it is not going to show significant progress in the exploration before the end of this month.