The Ministry of Mines has announced that in the past six months Ethiopia has earned US $288 million from the export of gemstones. Ato Tollosa Shagi, head of the Ministry's Public Relations announced the figure while speaking in a panel discussion on corporate social responsibility on Monday (February 25th).

Ato Tollosa said this revenue was collected from the export of tantalum, gold, opals and other stones. He told seminar participants that currently some 250 companies have taken licenses to operate mining exploration in Ethiopia. The half-day panel discussion was held with the support of the Embassy of Canada; and Ambassador David Asher, Canada's Ambassador to Ethiopia, noted that Canada would work to promote better implementation of the principles of corporate social responsibility.