Gold mining started in Ijesaland in the 50s but the last two decades have witnessed an upsurge in the activities of artisanal miners and scavengers. This also comes with the influx of non-Nigerians and Nigerians from other parts of the country which has resulted in myriads of problems ranging from insecurity to land degradation and moral abuses. In recent times, conventional and social media are awash with the real and potential dangers which the menace of unstructured and haphazard mining operations constitute in Ijesaland.
The Journey so far : Following from the seemingly helpless situation enunciated above, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi in the discharge of the responsibility of his traditional office coupled with patriotic zeal, assembled a 14-member advocacy team to among others, engage relevant stakeholders in the mining business in the larger interest of ijesaland.
The membership of the Forum was later increased to it’s present number of sixteen (16). The team started a virtual meeting on Sunday, May 17, 2020 which has sustained till date.
The forum was unveiled before His Imperial Majesty, OBA (DR) GABRIEL ADEKUNLE AROMOLARAN II CFR LLD on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Pursuant to its resolve to engage all relevant stakeholders in the scheme of mining, the team was hosted by the Osun State Government led by the Chief of Staff, Dr Charles Akinola, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Abdullahi Binuyo and relevant cabinet members on Friday, August 29, 2020. The meeting provided the impetus for the week long stakeholders engagement which started on Monday, September 14, 2020 with the political office holders across Ijesaland.
It was the turn of the traditional rulers, religious organizations, market women association, youth forum and such others from Tuesday, September 15th through 19th September, 2020. Hopefully, the current efforts of IMRDF will facilitate a long-term investments in mining and attract allied development either directly or by integration. The best guarantee for IMRDF goal attainment is with the cooperation of all of us.
VISION:
To make Ijesaland the foremost jurisdiction for Economic, Social, Cultural and infrastructural Development through interventionist approach to Mining activities and engagements with all stakeholders in the Mining Eco-system.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To foster fair and best practices for mining in a sustainable way that optimizes the welfare of the host communities and ultimately generate fair income to all stakeholders