Canadian group to invest R$ 120 million in mine in the state.
The government of Maranhão will sign, in the coming days, a commitment agreement with Luna Gold, owner of the Aurizona mining company; the agreement aims at investments by the Canadian group in the state in the order of R$ 120 million; the amount will be destined to the resumption of production in the municipality of Godofredo Viana; the company, which had previously announced the suspension of operations, is currently carrying out engineering studies in the region and guarantees that it intends to start construction on the mine this year; the forecast, according to the president of Luna Gold, Marc Leduc, is that operations will begin in 2018; with the resumption of activities in Maranhão, approximately 500 direct jobs will be generated.
Maranhao 247 - The government of Maranhão will sign, in the coming days, a commitment agreement with Luna Gold, owner of the Aurizona mining company. The agreement aims at investments by the Canadian group in the state in the order of R$ 120 million. The amount will be allocated to the resumption of production in the municipality of Godofredo Viana. The company, which had previously announced the suspension of operations, is currently conducting engineering studies in the region and guarantees that it intends to start construction on the mine this year. The forecast, according to the president of Luna Gold, Marc Leduc, is that operations will begin in 2018. With the resumption of activities in Maranhão, approximately 500 direct and 1.500 indirect jobs will be generated. The company will commit to purchasing R$ 2,4 billion in the state.
During a meeting with managers from the State Secretariat of Industry and Commerce (Seinc), who were in dialogue with company representatives, the group also announced a US$14 million investment through a Joint Venture (merger between two companies). The amount covers mining research in seven municipalities in the Godofredo Viana region.
“In the last six months we have completed 20 meters of exploration program. This has helped us to have a better understanding of the ore body that exists in the region and with this we can take this information and complete the engineering studies, so that we can demonstrate that we can restart the operation,” he said.
According to the Secretary of Industry and Commerce, Simplício Araújo, "the resumption of activities and the announcement of investments by Luna Gold signals once again that we are on the right track, creating a favorable business environment and engaging in dialogue with companies, aiming to generate employment, income, and seeking growth for Maranhão."
Other prerogatives
The document also includes provisions for the company's inclusion in the "Escola Digna" (Dignified School) program, which aims to replace makeshift schools made of mud, straw, sheds, or other inadequate structures with masonry buildings. The business group is also expected to construct and maintain an access road to the village of Aurizona, where the company operates.