Borena: Informal Gold Mining Wildlife Pollution Kills Birds

• Informal gold mining near Ethiopia's Borena National Park is causing wildlife deaths due to chemical contamination.
• The endangered Stresemann's bushcrow, endemic to the region, is particularly threatened by the chemical pollution.
• Three individuals have been detained in connection with the manual mining activities, which officials attribute partly to a lack of awareness.
• The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has demanded that extractive companies in Oromia ensure community participation, benefits, and verifiable environmental standards.
• Past incidents, including a deadly security event at the Tulu Kapi gold project and long-standing pollution concerns at the Lega Dembi mine, highlight the broader risks in the region's extractive sector.

This endemic species is currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, making its vulnerability to this Borena informal gold mining wildlife pollution particularly alarming.

Residents in the Arsite area of Abunu Kebele, located within Gomole Woreda near Ethiopia's Borena National Park in the Oromia Region, have reported a concerning surge in bird and other wildlife fatalities. These deaths are attributed to the widespread use of chemicals in informal gold mining activities occurring in the vicinity. Individuals engaged in these unregulated operations are reportedly discharging chemical byproducts directly onto the ground and into local water sources, leading to significant habitat and water contamination critical for wildlife survival.

Local accounts, including from Abunu Kebele resident Boru Jaldesa, highlight that these chemicals have infiltrated water supplies, posing a severe threat to various species, particularly birds and bees. A primary concern among residents is the Stresemann's bushcrow (Zavattariornis stresemanni), a bird species unique to Ethiopia and closely associated with the Borena region. This endemic species is currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, making its vulnerability to this Borena informal gold mining wildlife pollution particularly alarming. A resident from Yabelo town issued a stark warning that ongoing chemical contamination could inflict further damage on the local ecosystem and escalate risks to both avian and other animal populations.

Beyond the immediate impact on wildlife, there are grave concerns for human and livestock health. Boru Jaldesa cautioned that the fatal dangers currently observed in birds could extend to people and domestic animals if they inadvertently consume the polluted water or come into contact with the chemicals. The extent of the Borena National Park chemical contamination and its full impact on the environment and its inhabitants remains a critical area of ongoing assessment.

In response to the escalating crisis, officials from Borena National Park have confirmed the apprehension of three individuals linked to the informal mining activities. Niguse Wata, the head of Borena National Park, disclosed that these arrests were the result of a collaborative effort involving the park authorities, the Climate Change Authority, the Borena Zone Water and Energy/Minerals Department, and local Gomole Woreda authorities. This coordinated action underscores the seriousness with which local government bodies are addressing the Ethiopia informal gold mining environmental impact.

Niguse Wata clarified that the mining operations are primarily manual, carried out by local pastoralists rather than large-scale corporate entities. He suggested that a lack of awareness among those involved contributes to the problem. Park staff are actively engaged in monitoring and protection activities aimed at safeguarding the natural resources within Borena National Park, which extends towards the Kenyan border. Gelgelo Dedacha, an expert at the park, further stated that the park, in conjunction with relevant government agencies, is conducting research and implementing necessary measures to evaluate and mitigate the damage caused by the chemicals. The precise number of Stresemann's bushcrow chemical deaths and other affected wildlife has not yet been officially determined by residents or park officials.

This incident of Borena informal gold mining wildlife pollution occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on extractive industries within Ethiopia's Oromia region. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) recently issued an "urgent notice of requirement" to both foreign and domestic companies operating in Oromia's extractive sector. This notice specifically demanded that these companies ensure local communities actively participate in and directly benefit from mining projects, emphasizing the need for robust Oromia gold mining environmental standards.

The OLA's directive highlighted a deadly security incident at the Tulu Kapi gold project in western Oromia as an example of potential consequences for non-compliance. Following this incident on September 4, UK-listed KEFI Gold and Copper suspended its development activities, reporting fatalities among security personnel, community members, and one of its own employees. The OLA's notice further stipulated that companies seeking to operate in Oromia must engage in "thorough and transparent deliberations" with local communities to establish agreed-upon mechanisms for direct participation and benefit, asserting that operations should not proceed without such arrangements. It also demanded that companies implement and maintain verifiable environmental standards throughout their operations, reflecting a broader call for stricter Ethiopia mining environmental regulations.

Concerns regarding the environmental and social ramifications of mining in Oromia are not new. Communities residing near the Lega Dembi gold mine, previously operated by MIDROC Investment Group near Shakiso in the Guji Zone, have for years voiced complaints about alleged pollution and its detrimental effects on public health. These ongoing issues underscore the critical need for comprehensive environmental oversight and community engagement across all mining operations in the region.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for extractive companies operating or considering operations in Ethiopia, particularly Oromia, must assess and mitigate environmental and social risks, including those stemming from informal mining activities that could impact their social license to operate. This incident, alongside the OLA's recent demands, underscores the critical need for robust community engagement and verifiable environmental standards to avoid operational disruptions, reputational damage, or potential legal challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Addis Standard