All is set for the mining of the first gold in Ilesa in Osun State as the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an Australian mining firm, Andalusian Mining Industry.
This was as the leader of the mining firm, Colin Miller, disclosed to the governor that his company would present the first raw gold to the people of the state before the end this year.
The signing ceremony took place at the Government House, Osogbo, with a moderate ceremony, which had the governor in attendance.
The governor said the Australian mining firm had conducted a geological survey, which confirmed that there is a huge deposit of gold in Ilesa.
Aregbesola stated that the discovery has presented the state with wonderful opportunities to partner with Andalusian in the breakdown, exploration and mining of gold in the state.
He said the people and the state look forward to having maximum advantage of the mining firm’s presence in the state
The governor described gold mining in the state as a major breakthrough to the government and a business opportunity for the state.
He stated that government looks forward to speedy operation and intervention in the prospecting for gold before the end of the year.
The governor expressed the hope that the state has joined the league of mining of non-oil mineral producing states in the country.
He said: “With your partnership in gold mining, which will in turn create wealth for the immediate environment and the entire people of the state, you have a full partner with us.
“I am joyous for the opportunity that our state will join the comity of state that now mine mineral deposits.
“To our dear state, we are on the move to actualise our dream as model of peace, progress, opportunity and growth.”
Aregbesola tasked the company to be conscious of not hurting the people, their means of livelihood and the environment in the course of prospecting the gold deposit at Itagunmodi in Ilesa.
In his remarks after the signing of the MoU, Miller said that the summit in Australia on gold mining encouraged his firm to come to Osun State.
Miller said his company’s visit to the site of the prospective gold mine has also encouraged them to partner with the government for mining operation for upward of four years.
He thanked the governor for his foresight and vision for the state, promising that before the end of this year, gold will be struck and the first raw gold presented to the people of the state.
He said: “We are looking forward for an enduring partnership with your state.
“Our presence at the gold mine will create employment opportunity for the people of the state.
“With this joint venture for the considerable resource in Ilesa, we promise that before the end of the year, we would be together both with gold in our hand.”
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