Business
FG Lifts 5-Year Ban on Mining in Zamfara State
After a five-year prohibition, the Federal Government has officially lifted the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, paving the way for economic revitalization.
The Federal Government has lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State.
At a press briefing, Segun Tomori, the representative of Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, revealed this information on Sunday.
According to the statement, “The Federal Government has removed the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State due to notable improvements in security throughout the area.”
Alake mentioned that Nigeria “stands to benefit significantly from revitalized economic activities in a mineral-rich state like Zamfara, which is endowed with extensive gold, lithium, and copper deposits.”
The minister explained that although the previous ban was well-intentioned, it unintentionally created a gap that illegal miners exploited to deplete the nation’s resources.
He also highlighted the state’s tremendous potential to contribute significantly to national revenue.
“The existential threat to lives and properties, which prompted the 2019 ban, has diminished. Significant progress made by security forces has substantially reduced insecurity levels. With the lifting of the exploration ban, Zamfara’s mining sector can now gradually start contributing to the nation’s revenue,” stated Alake.
Since the start of the Tinubu administration, coordinated security operations driven by intelligence have led to the neutralization of major bandit leaders, significantly decreasing insecurity incidents. A notable achievement was a covert operation in Zamfara that resulted in capturing Halilu Sububu, one of the most wanted bandit commanders.
According to Alake, lifting the ban would also enable more effective regulation of mining activities within the state.
He stated that this would facilitate more efficient intelligence collection to tackle illegal mining, ensuring the nation reaps benefits from its abundant mineral resources.
Praising the media for their support in advancing reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024, Alake highlighted that journalists have been crucial partners in efforts to clean up the mining sector and drive market changes, making it appealing to both local and international investors.
Addressing the recent controversy over the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, Alake emphasized that the Federal Government maintains its stance that this agreement does not mean Nigeria is ceding control of its mineral resources or forming a military alliance with France.
The highlight of the MOU focuses on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. We require all possible assistance in terms of technical, financial support from international partners, and this isn’t even the first agreement we’ve signed; we have similar ones with Germany and Australia. Spreading misinformation despite clear evidence to the contrary is unwarranted.