Addis Abeba — Local residents in Arsite, Abunu Kebele of Gomole Woreda, near Borena National Park in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, have raised concerns over the reported deaths of birds and other wildlife following the use of chemicals in informal gold mining activities in the area.
Election coverage Ethiopia Residents told Addis Standard that individuals engaged in gold mining have been releasing chemicals used in the extraction process onto the ground and into water sources, contaminating habitats and water used by wildlife.
Boru Jaldesa, a resident of Abunu Kebele, said the chemicals had mixed with water sources and were harming various wildlife species, particularly birds and bees.
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Residents expressed particular concern for Stresemann's bushcrow (Zavattariornis stresemanni), a species endemic to Ethiopia and associated with the Borena region. The species is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
A resident of Yabelo town warned that continued contamination could further damage the local environment and increase risks to birds and other wildlife.
"If domestic animals or people accidentally consume the polluted water or chemical, the fatal danger currently happening to the birds could happen to people as well," Boru said.
Borena National Park officials confirmed to Addis Standard that three people have been detained in connection with the mining activities.
Niguse Wata, head of Borena National Park, said the individuals were apprehended through a joint effort involving the park, the Climate Change Authority, the Borena Zone Water and Energy/Minerals Department, and Gomole Woreda authorities.
According to Niguse, the mining is being carried out manually by local pastoralists rather than large-scale mining companies. He attributed the activity partly to a lack of awareness among those involved.
He added that park staff are currently conducting monitoring and protection activities to safeguard the natural resources of Borena National Park, which extends toward the Kenyan border.
Gelgelo Dedacha, an expert at Borena National Park, said the park, in coordination with relevant government bodies, is conducting research and taking necessary measures to assess and address the damage reportedly caused by the chemicals.
Residents and park officials said the exact number of birds and other wildlife.
Days ago, Addis Standard reported that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) had issued an "urgent notice of requirement" to foreign and domestic companies operating in Oromia's extractive sector, calling on them to ensure local communities participate in and directly benefit from mining projects. The group also cited the recent deadly incident at the Tulu Kapi gold project in western Oromia as an example of the consequences it said could follow when its stated requirements are not met.
In the notice, the OLA called on companies seeking to operate in Oromia to hold "thorough and transparent deliberations" with local communities on mechanisms for their direct participation and benefit. It said extractive operations should not proceed without such arrangements being established and agreed upon, and demanded that companies implement and maintain verifiable environmental standards throughout their operations.
The warning followed a deadly security incident at the Tulu Kapi gold project on 4 September, after which KEFI Gold and Copper suspended development activities. The UK-listed company said multiple security personnel and community members were killed, including one of its employees.
Concerns over the environmental and social impacts of mining in Oromia have also been raised in connection with MIDROC Investment Group's former operations at the Lega Dembi gold mine near Shakiso in Guji Zone. Communities living around the mine have for years raised concerns over alleged pollution and its impact on public health, while residents and activists have reported health problems they attributed to exposure to toxic substances and heavy metals associated with mining activities.
The allegations sparked protests and contributed to the suspension of MIDROC Gold's operations at Lega Dembi in 2018, following demonstrations by local residents demanding accountability over alleged environmental pollution and its health consequences.
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In March 2026, Human Rights Watch and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child raised concerns over the potential impact of pollution from the Lega Dembi mine on children and surrounding communities. They called on Ethiopian authorities to ensure transparency in environmental and public-health assessments and strengthen accountability.
Ethiopian politics analysis More broadly, Oromia authorities have undertaken efforts to tighten oversight of the region's mining sector. In August 2025, the Oromia Mineral Development Authority announced a major review of licensing and compliance involving dozens of mining companies operating in the region.
The move came after an Addis Standard investigation published on 19 July 2025 reported on the contested renewal of three exploration licences held by Hong Kong Xingxu Mining International Investment Co. Ltd. in West Wellega Zone.
