Licences15 Apr 2026 07:56
Oromia, Ethiopia dismisses hashtag#Askari_Metals’ claim as ‘speculative PR,’ says licenses under review and no site access
Askari Metals announced that it had raised USD 1,150,000 to support drilling at the Nejo Gold and Copper Project in Ethiopia and Namibia. However, the Oromia Mineral Development Authority (OMDA) rejected the announcement, calling it “a broker’s speculative PR stunt” and disputing the company’s legitimacy in Oromia.
OMDA told Addis Standard that it does not officially recognize Askari Metals as a license holder. It added that the three exploration licenses associated with the Nejo Project are currently under review due to regulatory problems in their renewal process, and that Askari Metals has no authorized access to the site.
Addis Standard previously reported that OMDA had formally asked the Federal Ministry of Mines to revoke three “renewed exploration licenses” held by Hong Kong Xingxu Mining International Investment Co. Ltd., citing violations of federal and regional mining laws, non-performance, and procedural irregularities.
In a July 10 letter, OMDA recommended the revocation of three exploration concessions in West Wellega Zone—License Nos. MOM/EL/00004/2022, MOM/EL/00005/2022, and MOM/EL/00006/2022—due to breaches of both the Federal Mining Operations Proclamation and the Oromia Mining Operations Proclamation. These licenses had originally been issued to Xingxu Mining in March 2022 and were valid through 2025.
The licensing dispute intensified in July 2025 when Askari Metals announced that it had acquired 100% of Xingxu Mining International Investment Co. Ltd., the company holding the Nejo Project. This acquisition occurred even as the underlying licenses were already facing potential revocation by regional authorities.
In August, OMDA sought to strengthen regional control over mining operations by issuing new regulatory measures granting Oromia greater authority over issuing, renewing, and revoking licenses. It accused several companies of speculative license holding, lack of operational capacity, environmental violations, and failure to meet community and regional obligations. As a result, 15 companies, including Xingxu Mining, now face possible license cancellation.
I personally think we will get these license's and secure Kefi`s future in the area
Despite unresolved licensing disputes, Askari Metals continued issuing updates claiming its licenses were validated. OMDA, however, insists it does not recognize the company as a legitimate license holder and says it is preparing a new resource-development plan aimed at attracting credible and compliant investors to the Nejo area.