Minister Lauds Segilola Resources for Inclusion, Pledges Government Support

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The Managing Director, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), an exploration and gold mining company located in Imogbara, Odo-Ijesha, and Iperindo, Osun State, Mr. Segun Lawson, has restated the readiness of the organisation to sustain the harmonious relationship it has with its host communities through different initiatives, carefully designed to positively impact the residents.

Mr. Lawson made the disclosure while receiving the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, and his team, on a site tour of the Segilola Gold Mine, saying about 29% of the company’s current workforce was drawn from the three (3) host communities of Imogbara, Odo-Ijesha and Iperindo. Lawson, who also said the company poured its first gold in July, 2021, added that later that same year, it went into commercial production and has never looked back since then.

According to him, the company has also been complying with regulations guiding mining, noting that Segilola has been operating in compliance with the global best practices and local regulatory requirements.

He said, “last year, we produced just under 85,000 oz of gold. There has been a lot of knowledge transferred to Nigerians. Our local employees make up 98% of our workforce here and in 2023 we executed over 25 community projects.

“We try to procure locally as much as we can. Over 61% of our procurement is in the country and we import the materials we can’t get in the country. Also, 29% of our workforce is from our host communities; Imogbara, Odo Ijesha and Iperindo. The total workforce on the site today is 1,933 people.”

Speaking after visiting the mining site, process plant facilities, and livelihood restoration program facilities (fishponds and vegetable farms for the host communities), Alake commended the management for working hard to sustain its relationship with the host communities, further noting, “I have seen for myself here today and it is very commendable. Many mining companies also signed community development agreements but fall short in delivery.

“You have overshot the bounds of delivery. I commend the company for that. I want to assure you that, whatever support that is needed for this company to grow, the Federal Government will give legitimately, as long as you keep within the bounds of the law, as long as you keep the regulations guiding the operations, and from what I have seen so far, I don’t have any doubt that you will keep to all those things.

“You can rest assured of the Federal Government’s support to grow the company, to ensure that the government derives maximally the royalties, revenues, taxes that are accruable, that are demanded of you by law. Once those things are done, you have no problems. We would do everything to ensure that you remain a shining example to others and we will be commending you to other miners who are in the same business, but who are not operating with your processes.

“I must say that, one other thing that gladdens my heart is to see young Nigerians in charge here. It is very laudable, and I am going to report this to the President. Also, from the statistics I have seen, you engage a substantial percentage of your workforce from the host communities, and your workforce is also about 98% Nigerian, which is why I said it is wholly a Nigerian company.

“That also is worthy of emulation by other companies, and I am going to report all of these back to the President, that this is a company that is really serious, focused, knowledgeable and courageous, and we should give it all the support that it deserves.”