A statement from the Ministry, signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan said the Minister expressed concern that the informal trading of unprocessed gold has led to revenue loss and capital flight, adding that siting the gold processing plant in Mopa is part of Federal Government’s resolve to develop the downstream mining sector. He said it will ensure improvement in product pricing, job creation, improved revenue generation while attracting foreign markets to the country.
According to the minister, the choice of Mopa as a location for the gold processing plant is predicated on its central position on the Schist Belt which trends from the Northwest through Western Kogi State to Southwest Nigeria.
He further explained that the Nigerian Schist Belt is known to host rich deposits of gold, adding that the location of the gold processing plant in Mopa will ensure that artisanal and small-scale gold operators within the Schist Belt States would easily access the plant for their gold processing and refining activities respectively.
Giving a description of the project, the minister said it is designed based on the cluster concept which has become a global trend in industrial development to promote shared amenities, agglomeration of similar producers and customers among others. He said other factors considered include geographical proximity or access to complementary expertise to promote efficiency and increase specialization and production.
He said the facility houses state-of-the-art gold processing machineries and equipment, over 30 stalls, administrative block, training section, an office for the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and stable power supply.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade said the conceptualization of the project was a fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and instead of dishing out cash or other material gifts to the people to cushion the effects of the pandemic, the ministry embarked on a strategic people-oriented project that is sustainable and economically viable to trigger capacity development, job and wealth creation.
She described Mopa as a town of hope and land of promise, adding that the commissioning of the project marks the beginning of the unlocking of prosperity of the land, and of all the States in the North Central Geopolitical zone and by extension, Nigeria.
She also took time to commend the Mopa community for heartily embracing the project while urging them to protect the facility.
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Solid Mineral Resources, Eng. Mohammed Yusuf, said the government and people of the State are overwhelmed with joy as the government found them worthy to site such an important project in the State as he promised more synergy between the State and the Federal Government.
In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Julius Joledo, whose message was read by Oba of Odole, Oba Bayo James Aje, appreciated the Federal Government for siting the project in their community. While promising that the people will protect the facility, he urged the government to provide it with adequate security as he urged the government to consider the youths of Mopa for employment in the plant.
The Director, Artisanal and Small-scale Mining of the Ministry, Mr. Yunusa Mohammed, thanked the minister, Permanent Secretary, Traditional Rulers and people of Mopa for gracing the occasion. He urged the people to protect the facility.
The gold Processing Plant was officially commissioned and Mining Equipment were presented to Mining Cooperatives.
