COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE UNVEILING OF THE DOCUMENTARY ON THE STATE OF MINING IN IJESALAND

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IJESA MINERAL RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM (IMRDF) COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE UNVEILING OF THE DOCUMENTARY ON THE STATE OF MINING IN IJESALAND, HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILESA, ILESA, OSUN STATE, ON WEDNESDAY, 21ST MAY 2025

Theme: "Value-Creating Mining Best Practices and World-class Environmental Stewardship. "

This theme underscores IMRDF's commitment to responsible development and practices that benefit our economy, environment, and people.

Preamble

The ljesa Mineral Resources and Development Forum (|MRDF) convened a historic public discussion and enlightenment campaign on 21st May 2025, at the University of llesa to unveil a video documentary on the state of mining in ljesaland. The event was organized to stimulate public consciousness, strengthen partnerships, and articulate a proactive agenda for governance overhaul and harness the most value from solid mineral resources in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

Over 150 stakeholders from the federal and state governments, executive/legislative arms, academia, the mining industry, professional associations, traditional institutions, civil society, and media organizations attended the event.

Some notable dignitaries who attended the event are:

1. His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko Il, Owa Obokun Adimula and the Paramount Ruler of ljesaland.

2. The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, ably represented by Prof. Luqman Jimoda, the Special Adviser on Mining.

3. Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Senator of the Federal Republic, for the Ife-ljesa Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

4. Prof. Zaccheus Opafunso, Ph.D., LL. B., FNMGS, FNSE - Chairman of the Event.

5. Prof. Gbenga Okunlola, Ph. D., FNMGS - Keynote Speaker.

6. Traditional rulers across ljesaland, including the Ogboni of llesa, Ogboni of Ibokun, Ogboni of ljebu-Jesa, Ogboni of Ipole, Arojo of Irojo, Aregun of Iregun, Alanaye of Anaye, Alase of llase, Trimi of lperindo, Oba of Imogbara, Onidoko of ldoko, Olu Odo of Odo ljesa, Onilaje of llaje, Arogbo of Irogbo ljesa, and Olumolu of Imongbara.

7. Prof. Taiwo Asaolu, Vice Chancellor, University of llesa

8. President, Miners Association of Nigeria, Dr. Dele Ayanleke, Vice President, Hon. (Dr.) Matthew Oyedokun and the representatives of Osun State chapter - Hon. Kareem Mutiu Adun, Mrs. Yemisi Obafofin, Olori lyabo Akintokun, and Engnr. Michael Ayo Adeoti

9. Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director General, NESREA, ably represented by Dr. Olugbenga Fadare

10. Messrs. Ezekiel Afolabi and Akeem Eniola, representing the Federal Mines Office, Osogbo

Highlights of the Program

• Welcome Address of IMRDF Chairman, Mr. Supo Shadiya, reaffirmed that mining has the potential to transform lives- create jobs, attract investments, and strengthen communities.

He called for a review of the 2007 Mining Act to empower state governments and local authorities in enforcing environmental stewardship and advocated for fair revenue sharing among the federal, state, and local governments, similar to what exists in the oil and gas industry.

Mining companies must live up to their corporate social responsiblities-supporting local development, protecting public health, and preserving the environment. He emphasized the need to open the door to value-added industries, such as mineral processing and manufacturing, in order to diversify, grow the economy, and deepen the benefits for our people.

He urged the government to transform the mining sector by adopting globally proven models from countries like Botswana, where there are very strong strategic state-private partnerships, and South Africa, where there are advanced beneficiation and industrial linkages adapted to local realities.

The unveiling of the documentary featured a 15-minute preview capturing the critical issues of environmental degradation due to unregulated artisanal mining activities. The devastation is severe. A deliberate and systematic land reclamation/ remediation to the original in-situ condition is realistic and achievable.

•Remarks by the Chairman, Prof. Zaccheus Opafunso, emphasized that the legal compliance requirements and professional standards in mining must be enforced.

•The Keynote Address by Prof. Gbenga Okunlola was emphatic that:

ljesaland is endowed with abundant metallic mineral resources, including gold, industrial materials like talc, and gemstones potentially in commercial quantities.

The gold is pure and can compete with any other deposits around the world.

Metal prices, especially gold, are rising rapidly, and the projections are positive in the long run.

Current mining methods (with the exception of the only commercial mining operation in Iperindo) are crude, unproductive, wasteful, and environmentally unfriendly.

There is a need for a more scientific, investment-friendly, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable approach along the value chain.

The current reactive approach is not sustainable. There is a need for a more proactive approach, such as the formation of viable holding companies by business-focused stakeholders.

Training and capacity development, especially for the youth at the middle and upper levels of manpower needs along the value chain, is very necessary and urgent.

Goodwill messages from key institutional stakeholders support IMRDF's vision and focus on responsible mining practices.

IMRDF's Integrated Position on Mining in ljesaland

ljesaland is endowed with vast gold deposits; yet, the sector remains largely informal, with minimal value addition and revenue capture. To transform this sector, the Federal Government must adopt globally proven models from countries like Botswana, where there are very strong strategic state-private partnerships (PPP), South Africa, where there are advanced beneficiation and industrial linkages adapted to local realities.

The Federal Government can implement the "5-Pillar Framework" for sustainable gold value chain development:

1. Formalize the sector and overhaul the governance to improve the regulatory environment and reduce revenue leakage.

Organize artisanal miners into community mining cooperatives with access to financing, safety training, and fair pricing.

Establish state-backed gold hubs, similar to Botswana's Okavango Diamond Company, to maximize value for all parties.

2. Rather than exporting raw gold, implement strategies that support localbbeneficiation & industrialization to increase job creation and derive higher revenues from processing raw gold into higher-value products.

Build gold refineries & alloying plants, similar to the South African model.

Stakeholders can partner with firms like Rand Refinery in South Africa to establish modular refineries in Osun State.

Process gold into 24K bars, jewelry alloys (18K, 22K), and industrial applications (electronics, dentistry).

3. Make financing & investment mobilization easier by implementing "gold-backed financing" similar to the Botswana model:

Launch a Nigerian Gold Purchase Program, where the CBN buys locally refined gold to boost reserves, similar to Botswana's "Pula Fund."

Use gold reserves to issue sovereign bonds, as Kazakhstan does.

Make Mining Venture Funds available by enabling the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund with private equity participation.

4. Improve skills & technology transfer capability through investments in advanced metallurgy and materials engineering expertise.

Partner with South Africa's Mintek to train Nigerians in extractive metallurgy, alloy design, and automation.

Introduce Materials Science & Mining Engineering programs at UNILESA, UNIABUJA, FUTA, and 0AU, with curricula co-designed by the industry.

5. Government must have a focus on strategic regional and global market integration.

Establish a digital trading platform for transparent gold pricing and exports, similar to the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange.

IMRDF advocates full alignment with federal and state regulations, enhanced by a localized regulatory task force involving NESREA, the Federal Ministry of Mines, states, local governments, and traditional authorities to ensure transparent licensing, environmental compliance, and enforceable Social Corporate Responsibility contractual obligations.

IMRDF advocates for mining reforms, focusing on value creation through best mining practices and internationally acceptable environmental stewardship, with a deliberate emphasis on strategic community development, youth empowerment, and beneficial investments in infrastructure, health, education, and job creation in the mining sector.

Conclusion:

It is a covenant and not a conquest. Nigeria's gold deposits should be a catalyst for large-scale industrialization and not just raw wealth by formalizing mining, adding value locally, and investing in metallurgy skills. We can transition from artisanal digging to advanced alloy production. The key lesson is that true wealth lies not in the metal itself but in the science of transforming

it.

Let's stop begging with bowls of gold. Let's manufacture the crown. ljesaland is ready, not just to extract, but to empower; not just to mine, but to birth a new vision of maximizing value from our mineral resources. Let us unite in shaping a prosperous, sustainable future for our land and a life more abundant and meaningful for our people.

Signed: IMRDF Chairman, Supo Shadiya, FNMGS, FNAPE

Date: 21st May, 2025

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