The Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, has implicated “powerful Nigerians” engaged in illegal mining as sponsors of banditry and kidnapping in the country. Alake, while speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, suggested that influential individuals involved in illegal mining were behind insecurity in areas with solid mineral deposits. He stated that the government was identifying these individuals and would take appropriate action against them to secure the areas for potential investors in the solid minerals sector.
Alake also highlighted efforts to encourage small-scale miners to form cooperative societies as part of non-kinetic strategies.
Speaking further, Alake stated that the ministry has encouraged small-scale miners to form cooperative societies, with around 50 such cooperatives formed to date. He highlighted the ministry’s efforts in sensitization programs to showcase Nigeria’s solid mineral deposits, attracting foreign investor inquiries.
The ministry has identified approximately 44 key solid mineral deposits with global demand, focusing on seven of them due to their significance. The minister emphasized the importance of securing these areas from illegal mining and fostering an environment conducive to investment in the solid minerals sector.
