*Photo: Dr Dele Alake*
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, says no fewer than 90 mining sites have been recovered from illegal miners across the country.
Alake made the disclosure in Akure on Thursday at the ongoing South-West stakeholders’ dialogue organised by Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba social-cultural group; DAWN Commission, and South-West governors.
The theme of the two-day summit is: “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress. Charting the Future.”
He added that over 300 illegal miners had been arrested with 50 of them being prosecuted, stating that over 20 illegal miners had been convicted since the inception of the present administration.
According to him, the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has established mining marshals with a purpose to secure mining sites.
The minister noted that the Federal Government raked in N28 billion as revenue in 2024 from the ministry, adding that the ministry over-performed on its budgetary target in 2024.
Alake said that the current administration’s policy on mining was that the mined minerals should not be exported raw except undergone local process in giving it value chain.
He cautioned traditional rulers not to connive with illegal miners irrespective of financial inducements, saying the future of the country must not be traded.
