Responsible development is central to KEFI’s approach
From health and safety and environmental management to community partnerships and responsible governance, the Company is committed to creating long-term value while meeting internationally recognised environmental and social standards.
As KEFI transitions from developer to producer, these commitments continue to guide every stage of project planning, construction and future operations, strengthening relationships with governments, local communities and other stakeholders across Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.
Responsible mining
Developing projects safely, responsibly and in partnership with local communities.
Sustainable growth
Creating long-term value for shareholders, host countries and future generations.
ESG at a glance
Health and safety
Protecting employees, contractors and local communities through training, systems and continuous improvement.
Environment
Developing projects responsibly while adhering to local legislation and international standards.
Communities
Working alongside local communities to deliver lasting social and economic benefits.
Governance
Operating transparently and in line with recognised international reporting frameworks.
ESG in action
Health and safety
Mining carries inherent risk, and KEFI works to minimise it through formal training systems and robust reporting procedures across all operations, recognising the importance of safety to employees, contractors, communities, financiers and everyone invested in the Company’s success.
Environment
There are no artisanal miners within or around KEFI’s Tulu Kapi Mining Licence, a significant environmental and social advantage compared with many mining operations in the region. KEFI adheres to stringent local and international environmental standards throughout project development.
Reporting standards
KEFI, complies with leading international standards for social and environmental performance, including World Bank IFC Performance Standards and the Equator Principles. KEFI’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and baseline studies are available on request.
Social licence
KEFI regards social licence as fundamental to its business, and prioritises supporting the communities where it operates.
In both Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, KEFI has built long-standing community relationships, contributing to community development funds, charitable endowments, infrastructure, and training programmes.
In Ethiopia
TKGM has already provided direct and indirect employment, a school, roads, bridges and fresh water supply, while supporting local suppliers and funding infrastructure in new host lands for resettled households.
Once Tulu Kapi is fully developed, TKGM expects to provide approximately 1,000 jobs, scholarships and training, new roads and electrification, and become Ethiopia’s largest single exporter, generating an estimated US$498-830 million per year at current planned production and prevailing gold prices.
In Saudi Arabia
GMCO has already created over 150 direct and indirect local employment positions, prioritises local suppliers for accommodation, water, fuel and food, and has provided graduate recruitment and skills training for six Saudi nationals.
Once the Jibal Qutman and Hawiah projects are developed, GMCO plans to create more than 1,000 jobs, deliver skills training aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, and support regional investment in roads, water, electrification and healthcare, helping build long-term economic opportunities for local communities.
Resettlement Action Plan
The programme is now substantially advanced, with progress playing an important role in finalising Tulu Kapi’s project financing package.
The framework
Developing Tulu Kapi requires the compensation, resettlement and relocation of some households, churches, cemeteries and burial sites. KEFI’s Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) sets out the framework for this process, in line with Ethiopian legislation and the IFC’s Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. The plan has been developed through ongoing consultation with external advisers and affected communities.
Progress to date
The first phase of RAP implementation began in early 2025 and has since progressed to the construction of a significant proportion of new homes in selected local communities.
Alongside physical relocation, KEFI has focused on livelihood restoration through replacement agricultural land, transitional support and income-generating programmes, helping ensure affected households benefit from long-term improvements in living standards.