Illegal mining activities linked to rising gold prices have emerged at two East Africa Metals properties in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Reports indicate that from early 2024 to mid-2025, former soldiers and Chinese miners, allegedly backed by undisclosed investors, extracted gold from the Mato Bula and Da Tambuk sites, despite East Africa Metals stating that the projects are non-operational and inaccessible.
The interim president of Tigray has enacted a task force to halt mining operations and seize assets, yet ongoing conflicts threaten enforcement of these measures. Gold prices have surged over 50% this year, raising concerns about a potential resource conflict similar to that seen in Sudan, with local communities reportedly not benefiting from the mining activities.
East Africa Metals, based in Vancouver, has denied any involvement in illegal mining and rejected claims regarding its Chinese partners financing artisanal operations. Insider reports suggest that Chinese-linked crews have been actively mining in the area, capitalizing on the region’s unregulated extraction climate following recent civil unrest.
