After five years of restricting mining activities in Zamfara State, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining activities.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in a press briefing, according to his spokesman, Segun Tomori, on Sunday.
To Alake, the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
The statement read.“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state.”
Alake stated that Nigeria “has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, lithium, and copper belts.”
The minister explained that the previous ban, which was well-intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources.
He also underlined how much the state could contribute to the national coffers.
“The existential risk to people’s lives and property that prompted the 2019 prohibition has subsided. The level of insecurity has significantly decreased as a result of the security forces’ enormous efforts, and now that exploration is no longer prohibited, Zamfara’s mining industry can progressively start to contribute to the country’s revenue stream,” Alake stated.
Intelligence-driven, well-coordinated security operations have neutralized important bandit commanders since the start of the Tinubu administration, greatly lowering the number of insecurity events. Halilu Sububu, one of the most sought-after bandit leaders, was recently apprehended in a clandestine operation in Zamfara.
According to Alake, the lifting of the prohibition would also make it easier to regulate the state’s mining operations.
According to him, this would make it possible to collect intelligence more successfully in order to stop illicit mining and guarantee that the nation gains from the state’s abundant natural resources.
“The press has been an important ally in efforts to sanitise the mining sector and promote market reforms, which have made the industry attractive to both domestic and foreign investors,” Alake said, praising members of the fourth estate of the realm for supporting the ministry’s reforms and initiatives in 2024.
“On the recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, Alake reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that the agreement does not imply Nigeria is relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France.
“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we are signing. We’ve signed similar ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, despite facts to the contrary, is uncalled for.”
