KEFI Gold and Copper has resumed development at its Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia after suspending operations following a fatal incident in early September 2026. The company said work was halted after what it called the Genji Incident, which began on September 4 and was resolved on September 10. According to KEFI, this marked the first fatality involving its personnel during 12 years at the project.
During the suspension, KEFI's leadership met with local community representatives, federal and regional government officials, security agencies and other stakeholders to discuss community welfare, employment, security and safety. The company said it is now restarting development with a phased approach that reinforces safety and community benefits, according to Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, KEFI's executive chairman.
The restart will begin with reconnecting the site to the regional electricity grid and rebuilding civil engineering teams to construct access roads. Later phases will include resettlement arrangements with replacement housing and land, upgraded security infrastructure, earthworks for the processing plant and permanent staff accommodation.
KEFI said the project could directly employ around 1,000 local community members once mining begins and expects development to create business opportunities and support infrastructure improvements including roads, electricity, schools and healthcare. The company also signed a mining services agreement with BCM Group in June 2026 valued at more than $400 million to support Tulu Kapi operations, and said international lenders remained committed to the project.