By: Addis standard

Tigray’s Task Force for Preventing and Combating Illegal Mining has seized over 440 machines from illegal sites in the Northwestern Zone, regional media reported. It said mineral smuggling has cost the region more than 7 billion birr in revenue.

The task force, established in December last year by the Tigray Interim Administration under former president Getachew Reda, aims to regain control of the region’s mining sector.

During a meeting in Mekelle on Saturday with zonal and district leaders, senior military officials, and security and justice bodies, the task force revealed that illegal mining and mineral smuggling have cost Tigray over 7 billion birr in lost revenue to the National Bank. It noted that only 24 million birr in gold revenue has been recorded this year, well below projections.

Amanuel Assefa, head of the Task Force, warned of severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining, particularly in the aftermath of the war. He highlighted pollution harmful to people, livestock, and the ecosystem, noting that the use of toxic chemicals in unregulated gold mining has created hazardous conditions.

According to the report, the Task Force has established three operational committees — the Investigation and Control Committee, Security Committee, and Justice Committee — and is collaborating with lower-level government bodies to shut down illegal mining operations.

Tigray Interim Administration President Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede emphasized the urgent need to decisively address illegal mining activities, especially those involving foreign nationals and collaborators. He stressed that the Task Force’s immediate priority is to halt illegal mining before shifting focus to legalizing the sector and ensuring mineral resources contribute to long-term prosperity.

The Task Force says it has moved from initial preparations to active operations, though it has yet to reveal the names of groups and individuals involved in illegal mining.

Former TIRA President Getachew highlighted the problem of unauthorized gold mining, stating that organized networks involving foreign nationals from Senegal, Nigeria, and China were operating in the region.

In early February Addis Standard reported that more than 20 residents protesting the use of toxic substances were reportedly arrested by local authorities and detained for two days before being released, and warned to remain silent.

In an interview with Addis Standard, local residents expressed deep concerns over the long-term environmental damage they believe is already evident. They also accused regional and local authorities of neglecting the issue, alleging that efforts are being made to conceal the use of harmful chemicals by illegal miners, further exacerbating the situation. 

“The illegal gold mining is happening covertly, and so is the environmental destruction and social injustice in the area,” one farmer told Addis Standard.

Tesfaye Gebremedhin, a lecturer at Mekelle University who has closely followed the issue from the start, told Addis Standard, “The protest was led by young people and held in front of the local administration office, where they voiced their grievances against local authorities and Chinese mining companies operating in the area.”

Residents reported that these chemicals have contaminated water sources, poisoned livestock, and rendered once-fertile land barren. One farmer lamented, “Not only are our resources being exploited, but our land is being permanently rendered infertile… Our children and livestock are suffering due to the chemicals used in the extraction.”