Firm donates oil processing plants to Osun communities

Thor Explorations Limited, through its Nigerian subsidiary, Segilola Resources Operating Limited, has provided 10 mini cassava and oil palm processing plants to three host communities in Osun State to boost agricultural enterprise and improve local livelihoods.

The initiative, known as the Cassava and Oil Palm Processing Equipment Project, covers Imogbara, Odo-Ijesha and Iperindo, with six oil palm processing plants and four cassava processing plants allocated to selected beneficiaries.

The company said the project was designed to address challenges faced by local processors who rely on labour-intensive methods, which often limit production capacity, increase processing time and reduce potential earnings.

In a statement on Wednesday, the firm said, “The initiative combines a 50 per cent equipment subsidy with a hire purchase agreement to improve access to productive assets and strengthen local livelihoods.”

“The company thoroughly believes that agriculture is an important source of livelihood in its host communities.

“By helping local processors access better equipment, Thor supports their ability to build stronger businesses and participate more effectively in agricultural value chains.”

The company said its commitment to responsible mining included investing in productive opportunities that strengthen the local economy and support livelihoods over the long term.

Under the allocation arrangement, Iperindo received two oil palm processing plants and two cassava processing plants, while Imogbara and Odo-Ijesha each received two oil palm plants and one cassava plant.

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Each oil palm processing plant comprises a vertical palm fruit debuncher and a diesel-powered automatic presser. The debunchers have a processing capacity of between 800 and 1,000 kilogrammes per hour and are designed to reduce the manual effort required to separate palm fruits from their bunches.

The automatic pressers are expected to mechanise the pressing stage and improve processing efficiency.

Similarly, each cassava processing plant comprises a grater, a manual presser fitted with a 32-tonne jack and a fryer for garri production.

The graters can process up to 500 kilogrammes of cassava per hour, while the pressers remove excess water from grated cassava before further processing.

Thor said the equipment was expected to reduce strenuous labour, improve processing consistency and enable beneficiaries to handle larger volumes of produce.

Beyond the direct benefits to processors, the project is expected to stimulate economic activities in transportation, trading and distribution. Improved processing capacity and product quality could also expand market opportunities for beneficiaries and generate demand for related local services.

The initiative forms part of the company’s wider community investment programme through SROL, complementing its interventions in women’s enterprise, education and livelihood restoration.

Thor said the project reflected its commitment to strengthening economic resilience and expanding opportunities in communities surrounding the Segilola Gold Mine.