FG approves N2.5bn to combat illegal mining

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the procurement of a N2.5 billion satellite technology to combat illegal mining activities in Nigeria at its third meeting of the year on Monday.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, made this announcement while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting. He explained that the satellite technology is part of an integrated solution framework aimed at addressing unlicensed, unregulated, and underreported mining operations.

The minister highlighted that the technology would help curb illegal mining activities that have resulted in revenue loss, unregulated operations, and the illegal extraction and exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.

“We are procuring satellite equipment and satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over the country. These will allow us to monitor, in real time, the operations at mining sites across the nation,” Alake said. “There will be a center with a screen at the operations center, the mines marshal center, and my office as well. At a glance, at the click of a button, you can view any mine site and see the operations there: the volume of mineral extracted, the number of trucks going out, and the security situation in the area.”

Alake explained that his ministry’s efforts to tackle illegal mining involved a two-pronged strategy. The first, a persuasive approach, encourages artisanal miners to form cooperatives. He stated that once miners form cooperatives, they become formalized, legal, and more structured, which allows them to add value to the country’s economy.

“When they form cooperatives, they become bankable. They can even access financial institutions to procure loans to expand their businesses. And of course, it means they have to pay their obligations to the Nigerian state,” Alake said.

According to the minister, over 300 cooperative societies have been established as part of this initiative. For those who resist this approach, the ministry has adopted a coercive strategy. “We used the coercive measure, and that is epitomized by the Mining Marshalls that we established. To date, we have arrested, apprehended, prosecuted, and convicted illegal operators, including foreigners,” Alake said.

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