Thor Explorations Ltd., via its Nigerian arm, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), is helping farming in its local communities by setting up ten mini processing plants for cassava and oil palm. This initiative offers a 50 percent equipment subsidy along with a hire purchase plan. The goal is to make it easier for locals to access tools and improve their livelihoods.
The Cassava and Oil Palm Processing Equipment Project includes three host communities: Imogbara, Odo-Ijesha, and Iperindo. Six oil palm processing plants and four cassava processing plants will be given to selected beneficiaries in these areas. This project aims to solve challenges faced by local processors, whose heavy reliance on manual labour slows down production, increases processing time, and limits their income potential.
The subsidy and hire purchase plan makes it easier for people to get equipment. It also encourages them to own businesses, take responsibility, and maintain their tools over time.
The company strongly believes that agriculture is a key source of income for its local communities. By providing better equipment for local processors, Thor helps them build stronger businesses and engage better in the agricultural market. Thor is committed to responsible mining and investing in opportunities that boost the local economy and support livelihoods in the long run.
Each oil palm processing plant comes with a vertical palm fruit debuncher and a diesel-powered automatic presser. The debunchers can process between 800 and 1,000 kilograms of palm fruits per hour. They help reduce the manual work needed to separate the fruits from their bunches. The automatic pressers make the pressing stage easier and more efficient.
The cassava processing plants have a grater, a manual presser with a 32-tonne jack, and a fryer for making garri. The graters can handle 500 kilograms of cassava per hour, while the pressers help remove excess water from the grated cassava. This equipment aims to lessen hard work, improve consistency in processing, and allow beneficiaries to manage larger amounts of produce.
Iperindo will receive two oil palm plants and two cassava plants. Imogbara and Odo-Ijesha will each get two oil palm plants and one cassava plant.
Besides directly helping processors, this project is set to boost economic activities in transportation, trading, and distribution. Better processing skills and product quality could open up new market chances for beneficiaries and create demand for local services.
This initiative is part of Thor’s broader community support through SROL. It joins other programs focused on women’s business, education, and restoring livelihoods. This shows the company’s dedication to strengthening economic stability and expanding opportunities in the communities near the Segilola Gold Mine.
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