*Photo:Minister of Solid Minerals Development,Dr. Dele Alake*
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called for increased collaboration between stakeholders in the solid minerals sector and the National Parks Service to tackle illegal mining and prevent mine pit collapses.
This appeal follows reports of a recent pit collapse in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Adamawa State, an incident that the Ministry has been closely monitoring through federal mines officers in both Taraba and Adamawa states.
The Minister highlighted that technical reports from field inspections have indicated a lack of professional skills in mine development among artisanal miners involved in illegal mining, which led to the pit collapse.
Urging these miners to stop risking their lives in pursuit of minerals, Dr. Alake advised them to form mining co-operatives and approach the Ministry for assistance in securing licenses and permits to operate legally.
Dr. Alake also emphasized that, according to the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and other regulations, mineral exploration is prohibited within national parks. Such activities pose serious risks to virgin forests, plant life, and wildlife, all of which are preserved by the Federal Government.
The Minister noted that the Ministry and the National Parks Service have held discussions on how best to work together to prevent mining in protected areas. He called on National Parks Service officers to report any cases of mineral extraction to the nearest Federal Mines Officer for immediate action.
To prevent further incidents, the Minister urged local government authorities to monitor illegal mining activities within their jurisdictions and collaborate with state offices of the Ministry. He stressed the importance of aligning with the Ministry’s early-warning systems designed to combat illegal mining activities.
In addition, the Ministry is sponsoring radio programs on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria to educate the public on the dangers of illegal mining. These programs also promote the benefits of joining co-operatives to participate in the Ministry’s training and empowerment initiatives.
Dr. Alake explained that these programs are broadcast in nine Nigerian languages to effectively reach artisanal miners, who are often non-English speakers.
Furthermore, he shared that the Ministry’s artisanal mining department is planning additional engagement programs to build trust between artisanal miners and the government.