Yobe Govt, 5 firms sign MoU to boost mining
Yobe Govt, 5 firms sign MoU to boost mining
Yobe government and five firms have signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), to encourage mining activities in the state.
The firms are: Geoscan Technologies; Revolve Mines Limited, Minepro and Energy, Deep Strata and Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.
The agreement was sealed during the Yobe Mining stakeholders’ Forum, on Thursday in Damaturu.
Gov. Mai Mala Buni described mining sector as critical to the economic diversification and industrial transformation of the state.
According to Buni, the state is richly endowed with mineral resources such as limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, quartz, silica, among others.
“Yet, for decades, these gifts of nature have remained grossly untapped and underutilised.
“The time has come to turn these hidden potentials into productive assets that will create jobs, generate wealth and advance the socio-economic development of our people,” he said.
Buni said the objective of the forum was to develop the sector in alignment with the Federal Government’s policy to encourage community inclusion, attract credible investors and guarantee environmental responsibility.
He said the discussions would revolve around key thematic areas, each representing a building block in the architecture of a sustainable and inclusive mining economy.
He listed the areas to include mineral mapping and data presentation to showcase the state’s known deposits and potential exploration zones, policy and institutional alignment to harmonise state strategies with federal regulations.
“Investor engagement and incentives to create an enabling environment for credible investors and role of communities and traditional institutions to ensure fair benefit-sharing and social harmony.
“Environmental and social safeguards to protect natural heritage, security and regulatory compliance to curb illegal mining and guarantee safe operations,” he said.
According to Buni, the state government will work with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Mining Cadastre Office, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, and other regulatory bodies to ensure compliance, transparency and investor confidence.
The governor tasked traditional rulers to promote peace, prevent conflicts and foster a sense of shared ownership in mining host communities.
Alhaji Kaigama Umar, Commissioner for Commerce, said his ministry had identified 26 minerals to be explored, including kaolin, gypsun, trona, laterite and potash.
He said efforts had reached advanced stage to make the state a minerals hub to strengthen its industrial base and improve revenue base.
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Also, Bamodu Yerima, Managing Director, Yobe Mining Development Company, said the company had begun registration of artisanal miners in the state.
He said government would ensure that mining host communities were adequately compensated.
Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Geoscan Technologies, expressed readiness to honour the terms of the agreements.
He said the company was into exploration providing arial scanning and geospatial services to mining industry, including geological mapping, volume calculation and environmental impact of mining activities.
Eichhorn said by providing accurate and reliable data using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the firm was helping mining companies to optimise their operations, reduce cost and improve environmental sustainability.
