The Edo State Government has said that it has secured 40 new licences for solid mineral deposits in the state through Associates Mining and Investment Company, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) promoted by the state government. The Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, said the state took the bold step to acquire the licences so that it is not short-changed in the drive for industrialisation.