Editing Economy of Eritrea (section)

===Mining and minerals===
{{update section|date=May 2023}}
As of 2001, Eritrea's substantial mineral deposits were largely unexplored. According to the Eritrean government, [[artisanal mining]] in 1998 collected 573.4 kilograms of [[gold]], however the number of gold reserves was unknown. International observers also have noted Eritrea's potential for quarrying ornamental marble and granite. As of 2001, some 10 mining companies had obtained licenses to prospect for different minerals in Eritrea. The government of Eritrea reportedly was in the process of conducting a geological survey for use by potential investors in the mining sector. The presence of hundreds of thousands of land mines in Eritrea, particularly along the border with Ethiopia, has presented a serious impediment to future development of the mining sector.<ref name=cp/>

In 2011, AngloGold Ashanti moved into Eritrea to explore the [[Arabian-Nubian Shield]] for gold through a 50/50 joint venture set up in 2009 with Thani Dubai Mining.<ref name="mining">{{Cite news |date=2011-05-12 |title=AngloGold moves into Eritrea |language=en-ZA |url=https://www.miningreview.com/top-stories/anglogold-moves-into-eritrea/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |archive-date=2020-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201114323/https://www.miningreview.com/top-stories/anglogold-moves-into-eritrea/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2011, the Australian Chalice mining company applied through a 60/40 joint venture for a mining license for 18 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Nov 2011 |title=Chalice takes key step towards gold production with signing of Eritrean Mining Agreement |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chalice-takes-key-step-towards-gold-production-with-signing-of-eritrean-mining-agreement-133061713.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

Also in 2011, [[Nevsun Resources]] completed construction of its Bisha gold mining project. Estimated production was to be 350,000 ounces of gold per year until the gold ore is exhausted, at which point the mine would produce copper and zinc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nevsun.com/projects/bisha-main/|title=Nevsun Resources: Bisha Mine, Bisha Project, Gold Production, Gold Mine Africa, Mining Africa, Copper Mine, Mining Eritrea, Base Metal Properties, High-Grade Gold|access-date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627055930/http://nevsun.com/projects/bisha-main/|archive-date=27 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As of 2012, nine explorer companies operated in Eritrea from Canada (NGEx Resources), Australia (Chalice Gold Mines, South Boulder Mines, Sunridge Gold Corp), China ([[Sichuan Road and Bridge Group]], Zhong Chang Mining Co, China Africa Huakan Investment Co., Land Energy Group (China) Ltd, Beijing Donia Resources Co.), the UK (London Africa Ltd, Andiamo Exploration Ltd.), the UAE and Barbados.<ref name="ecss">{{Cite web |last=Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies |date=October 2012 |title=Mining and Exploration Activities in Eritrea |url=https://www.ecss-online.com/mining-and-exploration-activities/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |language=en}}</ref>