KEFI says its abducted employees in Ethiopia released 'safe and unharmed'
(Kitco News) - KEFI (AIM: KEFI), the goldand copper exploration and development company with projects in Ethiopia andSaudi Arabia, announced today that its four employees and contractors inEthiopia were released after they were abducted in September 2021.
According to the company'sstatement, four Tulu Kapi employees and contractors were captured duringinspections of traffic routes for the project.
KEFI said that the companyvery much appreciates their safe and unharmed release without any conditionsand that all four are now reunited with their families.
The company pointed out ithas remained eager to proceed with the project as soon as possible, whilst alsomeeting the requirements to comply with appropriate security and otherstandards which should prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
With this localised securityissue now resolved and having been subsequently fully disclosed when it hasbecome safe to do so, the company said it looks forward to working with theMinistry of Mines to ensure that it is satisfied in all respects.
The company added it remainsoptimistic that the project in Ethiopia will still be launched this year albeitwith duly refined and risk-managed arrangements to protect all people andcapital involved, with the commissioning of production in 2023, ahead ofdevelopment of the Hawiah project in Saudi Arabia.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
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