10th November, 2022
By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Edo state government is set to reopen the Dagbala gold mining site in Akoko Edo Local Government Area to licensed miners.
Ethan Uzamere, the state Commissioner for Mining and Energy, disclosed this during a media parley in Benin.
He noted that the Dagbala gold site was closed down because of security challenges in the mining area.
“We had security reports that suspected terrorists were coming to the area and the state had to shut the place down to avoid what happened in some other areas from happening there.
“Sometimes the mining terrain is difficult to monitor but as of now we have got the right miners and they have licences to mine gold there.
“So when we reopen the site, only people with a licence will have access to the place and we will do this in collaboration with the Federal Government and the local government to monitor the place,” he said.
Uzamere also revealed that the state government had finalized plans to establish a solid mineral exploration company as a means of increasing revenue for the state.
“We have started the process of floating a solid minerals mining company; we have gotten some approvals.
“We are aware that exploration is in the exclusive legislative list; the state government is, however, careful to ensure encumbrances that go with government-owned businesses are not experienced
“This is especially true when politics become part of it; it has issues so we are in the process of putting a package together,” he added.
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