,
Getahun Meseret,
Getnet Mewa,
Gera Techane,
Ephrem Tilahun,
Meseret Aregahegn,
Esubalew Yehualaw
Ethiopia's opal mining and market sectors grapple with multifaceted challenges due to insufficient engagement from governmental and private entities. Key issues include the absence of comprehensive mining practices, limited promotional efforts, and the reliance on rudimentary techniques without proper machinery. Additionally, the market chain fails to adequately benefit local miners, exacerbated by fluctuating prices and the presence of illegal traders, unpredictability of the opal supply chain due to geological uncertainties. Environmental and social concerns loom large, worsened by the lack of impact assessments and miners' disregard for conservation efforts, posing risks to health, safety, and ecosystem stability. Demand for opals is shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including fashion trends, cultural inclinations, and economic conditions. Opal's historical appreciation for its fascinating play-of-color has cemented its status as a sought-after gemstone for jewelry and decorative purposes. Collaborative efforts are imperative to strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve promotional strategies, and foster sustainability in the sector. While mechanized mining offers efficiency gains, its implementation requires significant investment in equipment and infrastructure, primarily benefiting mining enterprises, establishing a centralized platform for grading opal at a designated location can streamline the process and foster a free-market system, attracting foreign investment and contributing to the country's economic development.
| Published in | Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 14, Issue 2) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12 |
| Page(s) | 29-37 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Beauty, Miners, Grade, Precious, Opal
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APA Style
Genetu, M., Meseret, G., Mewa, G., Techane, G., Zeleke, S., et al. (2025). Artisanal Opal Mining in the Delanta Area of South Wollo, Northern Ethiopia. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 14(2), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12
ACS Style
Genetu, M.; Meseret, G.; Mewa, G.; Techane, G.; Zeleke, S., et al. Artisanal Opal Mining in the Delanta Area of South Wollo, Northern Ethiopia. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2025, 14(2), 29-37. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12
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Download@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12,
author = {Mamaru Genetu and Getahun Meseret and Getnet Mewa and Gera Techane and Solomon Zeleke and Tatek Tadesse and Ephrem Tilahun and Meseret Aregahegn and Esubalew Yehualaw},
title = {Artisanal Opal Mining in the Delanta Area of South Wollo, Northern Ethiopia
},
journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {29-37},
doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20251402.12},
abstract = {Ethiopia's opal mining and market sectors grapple with multifaceted challenges due to insufficient engagement from governmental and private entities. Key issues include the absence of comprehensive mining practices, limited promotional efforts, and the reliance on rudimentary techniques without proper machinery. Additionally, the market chain fails to adequately benefit local miners, exacerbated by fluctuating prices and the presence of illegal traders, unpredictability of the opal supply chain due to geological uncertainties. Environmental and social concerns loom large, worsened by the lack of impact assessments and miners' disregard for conservation efforts, posing risks to health, safety, and ecosystem stability. Demand for opals is shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including fashion trends, cultural inclinations, and economic conditions. Opal's historical appreciation for its fascinating play-of-color has cemented its status as a sought-after gemstone for jewelry and decorative purposes. Collaborative efforts are imperative to strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve promotional strategies, and foster sustainability in the sector. While mechanized mining offers efficiency gains, its implementation requires significant investment in equipment and infrastructure, primarily benefiting mining enterprises, establishing a centralized platform for grading opal at a designated location can streamline the process and foster a free-market system, attracting foreign investment and contributing to the country's economic development.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Artisanal Opal Mining in the Delanta Area of South Wollo, Northern Ethiopia AU - Mamaru Genetu AU - Getahun Meseret AU - Getnet Mewa AU - Gera Techane AU - Solomon Zeleke AU - Tatek Tadesse AU - Ephrem Tilahun AU - Meseret Aregahegn AU - Esubalew Yehualaw Y1 - 2025/05/29 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12 DO - 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12 T2 - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources JF - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources JO - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources SP - 29 EP - 37 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-7404 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.12 AB - Ethiopia's opal mining and market sectors grapple with multifaceted challenges due to insufficient engagement from governmental and private entities. Key issues include the absence of comprehensive mining practices, limited promotional efforts, and the reliance on rudimentary techniques without proper machinery. Additionally, the market chain fails to adequately benefit local miners, exacerbated by fluctuating prices and the presence of illegal traders, unpredictability of the opal supply chain due to geological uncertainties. Environmental and social concerns loom large, worsened by the lack of impact assessments and miners' disregard for conservation efforts, posing risks to health, safety, and ecosystem stability. Demand for opals is shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including fashion trends, cultural inclinations, and economic conditions. Opal's historical appreciation for its fascinating play-of-color has cemented its status as a sought-after gemstone for jewelry and decorative purposes. Collaborative efforts are imperative to strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve promotional strategies, and foster sustainability in the sector. While mechanized mining offers efficiency gains, its implementation requires significant investment in equipment and infrastructure, primarily benefiting mining enterprises, establishing a centralized platform for grading opal at a designated location can streamline the process and foster a free-market system, attracting foreign investment and contributing to the country's economic development. VL - 14 IS - 2 ER -
Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Institute of Geophysics, Space Sciences and Astronomy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopian Ministry of Mines, Department of Geothermal Energy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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