Credit: Debbie Funmilayo, Ondo State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
Ondo State Government has confirmed that gold deposits in large quantity abound in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
In fact, it disclosed that geological indications suggest the possibility of more substantial deposits beneath the surface of the council area.
The commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi, made the confirmation during an inspection tour of illegal excavation sites at Olufa Community, Elegbeka, in the council.
He confirmed also that illegal artisanal gold mining activities had taken place in the area.
Alabi had, on behalf of the state government led members of the Ose Local Government Area Mineral Resources Committee on an on-site assessment of the recently discovered illegal gold mining site in the area.
Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner observed that the mining carried out was largely surface-level artisanal activity.
However, he noted that geological indications suggest the possibility of more substantial deposits beneath the surface.
Alabi strressed the need for the State Government to take proactive steps, in line with due process and regulatory requirements, to ensure proper and lawful exploitation of the mineral resource.
He assured that other communities with untapped mineral deposits, such as Ute, known for coal resources, would be adequately sensitized on government plans.
This, he said, would foster cooperation and prevent any hindrance to sustainable development efforts.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment, the commissioner stated that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, remains determined to harness the state’s abundant mineral resources across all local government areas for economic growth and community development.
Acknowledging that mining falls under the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government, thereby limiting direct state control, he assured that the state would continue to pursue lawful strategies to secure benefits for its people.
Ose Local Government chairman, Mr Clement Kolapo-Ojo, commended the Commissioner and his team for their prompt response and decisive action.
He urged the state government to expedite action on the necessary interventions before the onset of the rainy season, noting the risk of river overflow in the area where the gold deposits are located.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Council’s Mining Committee, Mrs. Kehinde Adeniran, expressed appreciation to the Local Government Chairman for establishing the committee to monitor activities within the locality.
She assured that the committee would intensify surveillance and promptly expose any form of illegal or unethical practices.
Other officials present at the assessment included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Olabode Yusuf; Director of Mineral Resources, Mr. Abiodun Jones; Deputy Director of Mineral Resources, Engr. Bidemi Oladapo; representatives of Proneg Consultancy Services led by Mr. Seun Okeowo; as well as divisional heads and councillors.
The visit was part of the ongoing investigations by the state government to verify the presence of gold deposits in the state.
It was also to exploring lawful avenues to harness the resource for the benefit of both the state and the host community.
