The Federal Government has revealed that cultural sensitivities, particularly in northern Nigeria, are limiting its ability to fully control gold mining activities across the country. This disclosure was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, during a briefing with reporters on Monday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Alake lamented that illegal mining has cost the nation trillions of naira in lost revenue, describing it as a major challenge to the development of the solid minerals sector. However, he announced that the FEC has approved a new initiative aimed at enhancing regulation and curbing revenue losses in the mining industry.
Satellite Technology to Combat Illegal Mining
As part of the new measures, the Federal Government will deploy satellite technology to monitor key mining sites and track activities in real-time. This move is expected to provide better oversight and reduce the prevalence of illegal mining operations.
Alake emphasized the importance of collaboration with state governments in mineral-rich regions to ensure proper regulation and prevent unregulated mining activities.
“Cultural sensitivities, especially in the northern part of the country, have made it difficult for the Federal Government to fully control gold mining activities. However, we are committed to working with state governments and local communities to address these challenges and ensure that mining operations are conducted in a regulated and sustainable manner,” Alake stated.
Trillions Lost to Illegal Mining
The minister highlighted the significant financial losses incurred due to illegal mining, stressing that the nation cannot afford to continue losing trillions of naira to unregulated activities. He expressed optimism that the new initiative, coupled with the deployment of advanced technology, would help curb these losses and boost revenue generation from the solid minerals sector.
A Collaborative Approach
Alake reiterated the Federal Government’s preference for a collaborative approach with state governments and local communities to address the challenges in the mining sector. He noted that such partnerships are crucial for ensuring that mining activities benefit all stakeholders while minimizing environmental and economic risks.
“We are committed to working with state governments and local communities to ensure that mining activities are properly regulated and that the benefits are shared equitably. This is the only way we can achieve sustainable development in the sector,” he added.
What’s Next?
The Federal Government’s new initiative is expected to bring much-needed reforms to the solid minerals sector, which has long been plagued by illegal mining and revenue leakages. The deployment of satellite technology and enhanced collaboration with state governments are seen as critical steps toward achieving these goals.
As the government moves to implement these measures, stakeholders in the mining sector are hopeful that the reforms will lead to increased transparency, improved revenue generation, and sustainable development in the industry.