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Tag: Alake

  • FEC approves Alake’s seven-point agenda for solid minerals development

    FEC approves Alake’s seven-point agenda for solid minerals development

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a draft policy for the solid minerals sector, encompassing all activities, operations, guidelines, regulatory framework, sourcing, and mining, among other dynamics in the sector.

    Tagged the “Agenda for the Transformation of the Solid minerals Sector for international Competitiveness and Domestic Prosperity,” highlights of the agenda includes creation of the Solid Minerals Corporation; Joint Venture with Mining Multinationals; Big Data on specific seven priority minerals and their deposits; Mine surveillance task force and Mine Police amongst others.

    Speaking to newsmen after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake stated the approval empowered the ministry to act precisely on various issues, including security measures, combating illegal mining activities across the country, and securing Nigeria’s economic survival.

    ” Solid minerals sector is critical to Nigeria’s economic survival due to ongoing changes in the global oil market, the push for climate change, and the shift towards green energy. Illegal mining activities, from artisanal miners to high-level involvement, are significant challenges. 

    Read Also: FEC okays $5b annual fund for humanitarian, poverty alleviation

    “Hence, government is reorganising the security structure and engaging in inter-agency cooperation to combat the menace.”

    “The approval today, as part of the policy, allows the Solid Minerals Ministry to act on all matters related to deregulation, management, operation, and environmental sanitization of the Solid Minerals sector. This makes the sector more investor-friendly, ensuring security and stability for investments, and attracting both local and foreign investors,” Alake asserted.

    The Minister added that operationalisation of the solid minerals sector through FEC approval will not only sanitize the sector, but consequently lead to the creation of six (6) Mineral Processing Centres to focus on value added products which will ultimately make solid minerals a major revenue and foreign exchange earner for the nation.

  • Lafarge, Solid Minerals ministry agree to cut carbon emissions

    Lafarge, Solid Minerals ministry agree to cut carbon emissions

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, yesterday assured Lafarge of the government’s support in its drive towards exploiting and exploring new minerals with lower capacity for carbon emissions in order to protect the climate.

    He gave this assurance while receiving the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade- Akinyemi, in his Abuja office.

    Assuring the company of a beneficial relationship to enhance its operations in the country especially by developing the vast mineral deposits in the land, Dr. Alake lauded the company’s contribution to the local construction industry, emphasising the imperative of cooperation with the ministry to strengthen and expand its operational base to boost economic development in the country.

    Dr Alake, while thanking the company for its interest in collaborating with the ministry, expressed his satisfaction that Lafarge has taken the lead in reducing carbon emissions and increased Nigeria’s contribution to climate change.

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    “What we are doing as a whole for the industry which will also impact your organisation is creating an enabling environment for the exploitation and exploration of mineral resources, so the onus rests on you after identifying those minerals to go through the due process of applying for the necessary licenses to explore and exploit after paying the necessary royalties payable to the different authorities concerned and host communities as well because we are putting in place mechanisms to reduce friction between operators and host communities.”the Minister added.

    Alake assured that concerns around security and restriction on use of explosives is being holistically addressed through plans to rejig the nation’s security architecture, restating the commitment of the Federal Government to do all that is necessary to develop the solid minerals sector in view of dwindling global interest in oil.

    In his remarks, the Lafarge CEO said Dr. Alake as the Minister in charge of solid minerals underscores the importance attached to the sector by the Tinubu administration.

    “The ministry of solid minerals plays a very important role in our industry, and I felt it is absolutely very important that I come to see you. So congratulations, once again. For the President to appoint you as Minister shows how important this ministry is to the development of Nigeria.”

    We are confident, given your track record in Lagos State, that you will turn things around considering the vast deposits of commercially viable mineral resources in the country,” Akinyemi stated.

    Expressing readiness to partner with the Ministry to achieve its ambition of a N1trillion economy in the minerals sector, in line with the Minister’s strategic 7-point agenda,  the CEO asserted that solid minerals could be developed into big export industry and a driver of domestic employment  generation. “Our focus again is on sustainable building solutions. Carbon emissions is a big topic. Construction actually contributes 40 percent of carbon emissions, but within cement production, it generates about eight percent emissions, so we take this very seriously in the products we roll out. We have a theme called “Just Green Operations” to ensure that the carbon that we emit is minimized significantly, Lafarge CEO emphasized, appealing to the Minister to address security restrictions on the use of explosives in certain parts of the country which has hampered its operations whilst also requesting improved security in areas where the company has discovered raw materials like gypson that is pivotal to its production.  

  • Insecurity: 2024 budget to include tech measures, says Alake

    Insecurity: 2024 budget to include tech measures, says Alake

    Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake has said the Federal Government will adopt the latest technological measures in next year’s budget to curb insecurity and better secure the solid mineral sector.

    He said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration inherited the previous administration’s efforts to inject some technology into the security apparatus which revolved around the use of drones.

    Alake said he had discussions with all the departments responsible for budgeting, adding that a budgeting process was ongoing.

    The minister said it would be concluded within a few weeks.

    Alake spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) event on the sidelines of the Nigeria Mining Week, with the theme: Unlocking Development Financing for Nigerian Mining Projects.

    He said: “Even before we came on board, there have been efforts to inject some technology into this security apparatus. I can say to you that some of the things I met on the ground in terms of technological inputs revolve around the use of drones.

    “Even though it’s not been started, the administrative steps have been taken. It needs to dot the Ts and across the Is. However, to advance it further and to bring in other innovations, technological innovations, you know, in the world of technology, nothing is static. It’s very dynamic.

    Read Also: Solid Mineral: FG will include new technological measures in 2024 budget to curb insecurity – Alake

    “Now, if you purchased a technological mechanism, say in 24 hours, something else develops. So, we are grading what is on the ground, and we’re introducing new technological measures, which will be included in the 2024 budget.

    “I’ve had discussions with all these departments responsible for budgeting. As we speak, the budgeting process is on, and within a few weeks, that will be concluded.”

    On the implementation of the ban placed on the export of raw solid minerals, Alake said: “If you are conversant with public policy, every policy has a gestation period of implementation, from the conceptualisation to the execution and the realisation.

    “So, we’re in the gestation period when the execution begins. Nobody will tell. You will know because you will feel the impact of it.”

    “We have been saying it must start with our announcement and the vehemence of the announcement to show the seriousness of government in pursuing that policy. I will repeat it. The era of carting away raw minerals is over in Nigeria. But that doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen the next minute after my announcement. There are mechanisms to put in place to check.”

  • Solid Mineral: FG will include new technological measures in 2024 budget to curb insecurity – Alake

    Solid Mineral: FG will include new technological measures in 2024 budget to curb insecurity – Alake

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake said the government would be including the latest technological measures in the 2024 budget to enable it to curb insecurity in its bid to harness the solid minerals sector.

    He said this administration met efforts by the previous administration to inject some technology into the security apparatus which revolved around the use of drones.

    Alake said he had discussions with all the departments responsible for budgeting and the budgeting process is on and within a few weeks, it would be concluded.

    The minister said this in Abuja, at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) event on the sidelines of the Nigeria Mining Week, themed ‘Unlocking Development Financing for Nigerian Mining Projects’.

    He said: “Even before we came on board, there has been efforts to inject some technology into this security apparatus and I can say to you that some of the things I met on the ground in terms of technological inputs revolve around the use of drones.

    “Even though it’s not been started, the administrative steps have been taken. And it needs to be the T’s will be across the I’s will be dotted. However, to advance it further. And to bring in other innovations, technological innovations, you know, in the world of technology, nothing is static. It’s very dynamic.

    “Now if you purchased a technological mechanism, say in 24 hours, something else develops. So we are grading what is on the ground, and we’re introducing new technological measures, which will be included in the 2024 budget. And I’ve had discussions with all these departments responsible for budgeting. And as we speak, the budgeting process is on and within a few weeks that will be concluded.”

    On the aspect of the commencement of the implementation of the ban on the export of raw solid minerals, Alake said, “If you are conversant with public policy, every policy has a gestation period of implementation, from conceptualization to re-execution and realisation. So we’re in the gestation period when the execution begins. Nobody will tell you you will know because you will feel the impact of it.

    Read Also: Alake seeks synergy with Interior Ministry to combat illegal mining

    “We have been saying it must start with our announcement and the vehemence of the announcement to show the seriousness of the government in pursuing that policy. And I will repeat it again. The era of carting away raw minerals is over in Nigeria but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen the next minute after my announcement.

    “There are mechanisms to put in place to check. You know, this menace and those mechanisms are not just on paper. They are practical things. They are measures that will include personnel, technology and all kinds of inputs from various agencies, security architecture is part of it, I have spoken a lot about the renewed security architecture that we are putting in place, it is going to be substantially technology driven.

    “And so all of these measures combined will put a stop to it. And the timeframe is very short. But it’s not something that happens within 24 hours.”

  • Alake seeks synergy with Interior Ministry to combat illegal mining

    Alake seeks synergy with Interior Ministry to combat illegal mining

    • Two ministries to set Joint Task Team

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, yesterday said that synergy with the Interior Ministry was crucial to the development of solid minerals in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    The Minister has opened discussion with his Interior Ministry counterpart, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who visited his office in Abuja.

    Alake lauded Tunji-Ojo on his giant strides in repositioning the Interior ministry since his assumption of office, emphasising the need for collaboration to address the concerns of insecurity plaguing the mining sector.

    “If we are to achieve our aim of developing solid minerals in the country, we have to address the challenges of insecurity, the menace of illegal miners and the activities of immigrants that are not properly documented but mining our resources and illegally carting away funds that should accrue to our nation. We cannot achieve this without synergy with the Interior Ministry,” the Minister asserted.

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    Buttressing the need to overhaul the security architecture to effectively secure mining sites and its value chain, Alake restated the commitment of President Tinubu in that regard, urging Hon. Tunji-Ojo to join hands with him to make this a reality.

    He further informed his guest of his earlier engagement with the National Security Adviser (NSA) on the need for improved intelligence gathering as part of efforts to effectively protect mineral resources and assets of prospective investors.

    The Interior Minister commended his host for his efforts so far in laying a solid foundation for solid minerals development in the country.

    He assured him of his commitment to partner with the ministry to address issues relating to insecurity and illegal mining by undocumented immigrants.

    “Solid minerals have the potential to be Nigeria’s number one foreign exchange earner with the preponderance of minerals in commercially viable quantities across our nation. The quality of our gold, limestone amongst others is incomparable with others elsewhere. Therefore, we must come together to address the issues you have raised. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is supposed to be the protector of solid minerals as it comes within its purview of protecting national assets but seems we have to go a step further to establish mine rangers that will be specifically empowered to secure mines and its assets.

    “So, going forward, I think we should set up a joint team comprising officials of the Interior and Solid minerals development ministry to work out modalities for collaboration on immigration issues and ensuring proper security of the mining sector. We are ready to make solid minerals the highest revenue earner for the country in line with the Tinubu administration agenda of diversification of the economy,” the Minister added.

    Dr. Alake expressed gratitude to the Minister for indicating interest in collaborating with his ministry, stating that with the partnership, solid minerals is poised to rival crude oil in revenue generation.

  • Why governors can’t ban mining activities, by Alake

    Why governors can’t ban mining activities, by Alake

    • Minister: mining is on Exclusive List 

    Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake has told governors banning mining activities in their states that they lack such a right.

    The minister likened a state regulating mining activities to the banning of oil exploration by any other entity other than the Federal Government.

    Alake spoke yesterday in Abuja at a pre-event media briefing on the eighth edition of the annual Nigerian Mining Week 2023 to be held from October 16 to 18.

    He said: “Mining belongs exclusively in the purview of the Federal Government, according to the Constitution. It is in the Exclusive Legislative List; it is not in the residual. It is not in the Concurrent; it’s in the Exclusive Legislative List. Every item on the Exclusive, Legislative List belongs to the Federal Government.

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    “There is no doubt about that. All items on the residual list belong to the states and all items in a Concurrent section belong to both. But like oil, solid minerals belong in the Exclusive Legislative. Therefore, it is the Federal Government that has the authority, the legal authority, as supported by the Constitution, to make laws, regulations, and operationalisation of the solid minerals resources of Nigeria.

    “Now, because of the peculiar nature of solid minerals, because of the involvement of the local communities or the host communities, there is an engagement even in the regulatory framework of mining operations.

    “There is an engagement close with the host communities and the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, has been engaging with host communities. In fact, in the licensing operations or processes or procedures, there is a provision for the engagement with the host communities. Now, these host communities also belong in the various states.

    “Mind you, we are not against any state that wants to engage in mining operations as long as it follows due process. If any state wants to engage in mining, it can form its own Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), apply for a mining licence from the Office of the Minister for Solid Minerals Development and go through the due process and be so licensed, if it meets all the criteria, like any company or like any individual, institution, or corporate body.

    “But for a state to wake up and say it is regulating mining activities is like a state waking up to ban oil exploration. It is downright illegal…

    “I am going to address the National Economic Council (NEC) of which state governors are members to educate the states. I have also engaged quite a number of governors individually; some have come to visit me here.

    “I’ve been able to tell them: this is the situation. I’ve also discovered that some are not actually very vast in the constitutional imperatives and dynamics of this sector. And so, there’s a need for adequate education and enlightenment.”

    Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) President Dele Ayanleke said the mining week would coincide with the coming in of President Bola Tinubu, who envisioned a Renewed Hope Agenda for every aspect of the nation’s life.

    Also, Ekid people in Eket and Esit Eket local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have ordered a Chinese firm, Ruitai Mining Limited, to vacate their land for engaging in illegal mining.

    The people, under the aegis of Ekid Peoples Union (EPU), accused the firm of illegally mining a mineral, ilmenite, on their lands at Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, also called Akoiyak Ekid.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Eket, EPU President-General, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, said: “For some time now, we have noted that a Chinese company, Ruitai Mining Limited, has been illegally mining ilmenite on our land located within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid), property of the Ekid people, without the necessary authorisation or consent of the community in breach of our extant laws.

    “This illegal mining, usually carried out in the night and its product transported out of the state in trucks clandestinely, is alleged to be actively encouraged by certain elements in government.

    “As at today, neither the Chinese company nor their agents in government has informed the community of this ongoing illegal activity. This action is in complete breach of extant laws,” Udonsak said.

  • Alake to governors: You have no right to ban mining activities

    Alake to governors: You have no right to ban mining activities

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, cautioned state governors who have imposed bans on mining activities within their states.

    He emphasized that no state governor possesses the rightful authority to meddle with mining operations within their states for any reason.

    The minister said for a State to wake up and say it is regulating mining activities is like a state waking up to ban oil exploration which is downright illegal.

    The Minister emphasized that mining is exclusively within the federal government’s domain as stipulated by the Constitution.

    He stated that no governor is constitutionally empowered to enact laws, regulations, or oversee operations concerning Solid Minerals resources.

    Alake made these remarks during a pre-event press conference in Abuja for the 8th edition of the annual Nigerian Mining Week 2023 scheduled from the 16th to 18th of October.

    Read Also: Solid minerals will promote climate change, says Alake

    He likened a State attempting to regulate mining activities to an illegal ban on oil exploration.

    He said: “The state’s ban on mining activities across the court is a point that is really sore. And it’s a constitutional matter. I want to use this opportunity to get to the entire Nigerian public that no state and I repeat, no state has the authority to interfere in mining operations, no state has the authority and it is not it’s a no-brainer. It’s a constitutional matter.

    “Mining belongs exclusively in the purview of the federal government, according to the Constitution. It is in the exclusive legislative list. It is not in the residual. It is not in the concurrent it’s in the exclusive legislative list. Every item on the exclusive, legislative list belongs to the federal government.

    “There is no doubt about that. All items on the residual list belong to the states and all items in a concurrent section belong to both, but mining like oil and solid Minerals belongs in the exclusive legislative, therefore, it is the federal government that has the authority. Legal authorities as supported by the Constitution make laws regulations and operationalization of the Solid Minerals resources of Nigeria.

    “Now, because of the peculiar nature of solid minerals, because of the involvement of the local communities or the host communities, there is an engagement even in the regulatory framework of mining operations. There is an engagement close with the host communities and the federal government through the Ministry of Solid has been engaging with host communities in fact, in the licensing operations or processes or procedures, there is a provision for the engagement with the host communities. Now these host communities also belong in the various states.

    “Mind you we are not against any state that wants to engage a mining operations as long as it follows due process. If any state wants to engage in mining, it can form its own Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), apply for a mining licence from the office of the Minister for solid minerals go through the due process and be so licensed if it meets all the criteria. Such a state is like any company or like any individual, institution, or corporate body.

    “But for a State to wake up and say it is regulating mining activities is like a state waking up to ban oil exploration. It is downright illegal.

    “However, because we don’t want to engage in confrontations and distractions leading to all kinds of infractions, we are engaging the states. The State’s Executives, I have been in touch with the chairman of the governors forum and I am going to address the National Economic Council (NEC) of which state governors are members to educate the states. I have also engaged quite a number of Governors individually, some have come to visit me here.

    “I’ve been able to tell them, this is the situation. I’ve also discovered that some are not actually very vast in the Constitutional imperatives and dynamics of this sector. And so there’s a need for adequate education and enlightenment. However, there is no amount of education and enlightenment that we engage in that would be outside the purview of the law, of the Constitution and the Constitution is very clear. Mining activities, Solid Minerals, liquid minerals all minerals belong in the purview of the federal government.”

    Alake added that any case of infringement by miners in a state should be reported to the mines officers in the states or to the Ministry instead of states making improper pronouncements that are not enforceable.

    President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke said the Mining Week coincides with the coming in of President Bola Tinubu who has envisioned a Renewed Hope Agenda in every aspect of our National life.

    He said the coming event offers an opportunity for all stakeholders in the industry to formulate policies and programmes for the sustaining management of our resources in a way that would restore the hope of Nigerians.

  • Solid minerals will promote climate change, says Alake

    Solid minerals will promote climate change, says Alake

    Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, reiterated that the Federal government’s shift from hydrocarbon to prioritizing the minerals sector as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) aligns with their commitment to combat climate change.

    He said Nigeria has been operating a mono-cultural economy for a long, adding that the shift to solid minerals is overdue.

    The head of press and public relations of the ministry, Alaba Balogun in a statement said the minister made the statement when he received a delegation of the Miners Association of Nigeria, led by their national president, Dele Ayanleke.

    He stated: “Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake has reaffirmed that the decision of the Federal government to diversify from hydrocarbon to making the minerals sector a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) is our contribution to climate change.

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    “Dr Alake dropped this hint when he received a delegation of the Miners Association of Nigeria, led by their National President, Mr Dele Ayanleke. The delegation comprised representatives of the VUKA group, co-organizer of the forthcoming Nigeria Mining Week and Price Waterhouse Coopers, the foremost accounting firm.

    “While commending the Association for its suggestive recommendations and consistent role in organizing the Mining Week; Dr Alake stated that Nigeria has been operating a mono-cultural economy for a long noting that the shift to solid minerals is overdue.”

    He said: ”Our vision is to make solid minerals our pride, a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

    We will diversify from oil, to exploit it for the survival of Nigeria. This is our own contribution to climate change”.

    “To this end, the Minister emphasized that the Ministry is committed to making requisite policies that will sanitize and rejig the regulatory framework and to make it more conducive for local and foreign investors to play”.

    “On the issue of incursion by the second tier of government into mining, Dr Alake stressed that the federal government will engage the state government and local government with a view to resolving surrounding issues within the ambit of the law.

    “Speaking on securing the mining sector environment for maximum yield to the Federal government, the Minister revealed that high-end technology will be deployed coupled with an inter-agency task force to arrest the menace completely. He, therefore, sought a partnership with the Miners Association of Nigeria to strengthen capacity in this regard for the growth and repositioning of the sector.

    “In his earlier remarks, the National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, in a vote of confidence, expressed  absolute assurance that the seven-point agenda unfolded by the Minister of Solid Minerals under the renewed hope agenda of this present administration will consolidate and enhance  the sector for maximum contribution to national development.”

  • FG to gather precise data on minerals, says Alake

    FG to gather precise data on minerals, says Alake

    The minister of solid minerals development, Dele Alake said the federal government is committed to gathering precise data on minerals in the country.

    He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s agenda is to transform the solid minerals sector into the country’s highest source of revenue.

    Alake said this on Wednesday, October 4, in Abuja when the President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu visited his office.

    The head, press and public relations of the ministry, Alaba Balogun, who made this known in a press statement stated: “Solid Minerals Minister Dr.Oladele Alake has commended Africa Finance Corporation for supporting the Tinubu Administration in its agenda to transform the solid minerals sector into the country’s highest source of revenue.

    “Alake made this known during the business visit of the President and Chief Executive Officer,  Africa Finance Corporation, Mr Samaila Zubairu to his office in Abuja.

    “Speaking on the administration’s commitment to gather precise data on minerals, Alake stated that every efforts being made through policies initiatives and programmes to make Nigeria a destination for Solid Minerals will be futile if the nation didn’t improve on data gathering.

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    ”We will invest heavily in data generation, concise and precise data generation that will empower and enable investors make informed decisions’.

    ”The ministry is committed to developing the necessary data needed to advance the $700 billion value under the ground under the big data strategy.

    He added: “Dr Alake asserted that the present administration decided to shift attention from fossil fuel and its attendant climatic challenges to solid minerals as viable alternative.

    ”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided to create the ministry, empower it, and develop policies to make it advantageous to Nigerians.”

    He also stated: “While acknowledging the robust partnership between the Africa Finance Corporation and Solid Minerals Development Fund aimed at identifying and supporting development-stage mining projects in Nigeria, the Minister said, the visit of the CEO of Africa Finance Corporation signposts how critical the mining sector is to Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity.

    “Dr Alake assured Mr. Samaila Zubairu that the Ministry will cooperate and collaborate with the Africa Finance Corporation to make the organizations roadmap actionable in tandem with the transformation agenda launched recently by the Ministry to increase revenue accruable to the government amongst others.

    “Speaking earlier, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Mr Samaila Zubairu stated that the quantum and value of Nigeria’s solid minerals has made it imperative to develop a framework of collaborating with the Ministry for the growth of the sector.

    “Furthermore, he advocated the formulation of a framework that will support local investors by development banks, to de-risk investment in the mining sector with positive implications on increasing tax earnings for the country.

    “The AFC boss pledged the corporation’s support for the Big Data project, value-added processing centres, reduction of insecurity, and support for indigenous mining companies.

    “He disclosed that the AFC’s support for Segilola enabled it to prove that an indigenous company could succeed in the mining sector.”

  • Illegal mining: Foreign operators sponsoring banditry would be dealt with – Alake

    Illegal mining: Foreign operators sponsoring banditry would be dealt with – Alake

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake has said that the government will come down heavily on unscrupulous foreign operators sponsoring banditry to perpetrate illegal mining.

    While re-stating his ministry’s commitment to establishing a multi-agency task force that will put a stop to the activities of illegal miners and their collaborators in the country, he appealed to Nigerians to tell those sponsoring banditry to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

    Alake said this yesterday in Abuja when a delegation of the Nigeria-China Chamber of Mines led by its National President, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala paid him a visit.

    Head, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Alaba Balogun made this known in a press statement.

    He stated, “The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake has stated that the solid minerals Nigeria is endowed with abundance, it will be a resurrection tool to revamping the nation’s economy, just as he affirmed that the present administration is shifting attention from hydro-carbon.

    “Dr. Alake made this declaration when a delegation of Nigeria-China Chamber of Mines led by its National President, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala paid him a visit.

    “Elaborating further, the Minister stated that the Ministry has initiated several deliberate policies and programmes which are geared towards achieving set objectives for economic prosperity as outlined in the roadmap that was recently released to the public. He affirmed that the establishment of the Solid Minerals Corporation and the promotion of public-private ventures is crucial to these objectives. It will ensure sustainability, and increase revenue accruable to the government, with a significant contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

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    “Continuing, Dr. Alake acknowledged the importance of the security of investors, which according to him, is crucial to achieving the Ministry’s vision of repositioning and sanitizing the minerals sector for maximum contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development under the present administration’s renewed hope agenda.

    “To this end, he said the Ministry is committed to establishing a multi-agency task force that will put a stop to the activities of illegal miners and their collaborators.

    “The government will come down firmly on these unscrupulous foreign operators sponsoring banditry to perpetrate illegal mining: let me use this medium to appeal through you to tell those sponsors to desist or face the full wrath of the law,’’ the Minister stated.

    “The Minister restated that the government has given illegal miners 30 days grace, stressing, it is not a punitive measure but a way to formalize and make them legitimate to continue in their trade. He also asserted that the aim is to streamline and structure the Small Scale Artisanal Miners for maximum yield to the Federal Government.”

    “Speaking earlier, the National President, Nigeria -China Chamber of Mines, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala informed the Minister that their visit was to celebrate his appointment as Minister for Solid Minerals Development.

    “The Association, he stated, has proffered ideas and suggestions to the Ministry; that will advance and grow the sector for socio-economic development of the country. Some of which include improving data synergy between the Mining Cadastre Office and Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.”