Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, on Saturday, performed the groundbreaking of Bauchi-Minsheng Corporation Company (BMCC) Nigeria Limited, a joint venture with a Chinese firm.

The mining company was established jointly with a Chinese firm, Shandong Minsheng Group, to advance the state’s solid mineral sector.

Mr Mohammed said the company would boost the state’s economic base, create jobs and enhance resource utilisation through mining and related industries.

Represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, the governor said that his administration embarked on necessary reforms to create business enabling environment to encourage investment in the solid mineral sector.

This, he said, would unlock potential for sustainable growth in alignment with government’s overall economic diversification agenda.

“The idea behind forming this form emanated from the establishment of a sister-state relation with the Shandong province of China.

“This relationship led to the signing of the Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement between Bauchi State Government and Minshang Group on the mining project in September 2003,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the joint venture further demonstrated government commitment to transform the state’s solid mineral sector through enhanced value addition.

He said the partnership would provide another avenue for technology transfer for professionals like geologists and other technical staff.

“This is in developing their practical skills and capacity for improved performance in line with global trends to meet the third target of the administration’s economic diversification mission,” he said.

He said the state government had made significant progress toward connecting full-scale cooperation in areas of exploration, mining, processing and international minerals trading since the formation of the company.

“These include the recruitment of indigenous geologists and other semi-skilled workers, the construction of living and operational areas within the mining site, as well as the deployment of prepared machinery and equipment.”

Yu Tao, chairman, Shandong Minsheng Group, commended the gesture, adding it would provide employment opportunities for youths.

Also, Muhammad Bello, commissioner for natural resources development, said the partnership would curtail illegal mining that denied the government a source of revenue.

“With the formal launching of activities by the company, the state is assured of economic growth and development.”

(NAN)