The Federal Government has lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Sunday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, represented by Segun Tomori.
According to the statement, the decision to remove the ban was based on significant improvements in the security situation across the region.
Alake emphasized that revitalizing mining in a resource-rich state like Zamfara, which holds deposits of gold, lithium, and copper, could greatly boost Nigeria’s economy.
He acknowledged that while the initial ban was intended to address security concerns, it unintentionally allowed illegal mining to thrive, resulting in the loss of valuable national resources. He also highlighted Zamfara’s potential to significantly contribute to national revenue.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool.
“Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity. A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara,” Alake stated.
To Alake, lifting the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
He said this would enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
“Commending members of the fourth estate of the realm for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024, Alake noted that the press have been key allies in efforts to sanitise the mining sector and promote market reforms which have made the industry attractive to indigenous and foreign investors.
“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,” he added.
