KEFI suspends Tulu Kapi development after fatal security incident
KEFI announced on 7 September 2026 that it had halted development of Ethiopia’s Tulu Kapi gold project after a fatal incident on 4 September. It said the effect on its construction timetable remained unclear.
In short
- KEFI announced on 7 September 2026 that it had halted development of Ethiopia’s Tulu Kapi gold project after a fatal incident on 4 September.
- It said the effect on its construction timetable remained unclear.
KEFI Gold and Copper has suspended development of its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia following a security incident on 4 September 2026 that the company said killed security personnel and community members, including one employee.
In a regulatory announcement dated 7 September 2026, KEFI said work would remain halted until measures were established to protect workers and surrounding communities. The suspension was also reported by Addis Standard in an item distributed through AllAfrica on 9 September 2026.
The company did not give a total death toll or explain the circumstances of the incident, citing the sensitivity of the situation. Its announcement does not establish responsibility for the deaths.
KEFI said it was consulting community representatives, Ethiopian authorities and security stakeholders. It would also defer further use or drawdown of project financing while assessing conditions.
Development began in March 2026, with first gold production targeted for mid-2028 before the incident. KEFI said it was too early to determine how the suspension would affect that timetable; it gave no restart date.
