A company called Associates Mining and Investment, backed by the Edo State Government, has helped the state secure 40 new licenses for solid mineral deposits.
In Benin, on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Enaholo Ojiefoh, revealed that the state made sure to obtain these licenses to prevent being unfairly treated in the push for industrial development.
The state plans to lease out the licenses to private investors who are interested in tapping into the mineral resources in the state.
According to him, after obtaining the licenses, the state engaged with the local Community Development Associations in the areas where the solid minerals are located. He added that there has been significant interest from potential investors in the project.
The governor has emphasized the need to generate revenue from this initiative by focusing on industrialization. Additionally, a Commodities Trading and Mineral Analysis Centre is being finalized in Dangbala in Akoko Edo. Furthermore, the state has provided training for its staff, and has collaborated with a research team from universities.
The staff involved in the project come from various fields such as Geology, Geophysics, Industrial Chemistry, and Biochemistry. They have been working alongside professors and university teams to identify more minerals across the state.
The state is home to kaolin deposits in Ubiaja, located in the Edo Central Senatorial district, and also has gypsum in Warrake. The state sees potential for driving investment through these deposits due to their abundance.
