The federal government has lifted the ban on mining activities in Zamfara state.
In 2019, the federal government banned mining activities in Zamfara and ordered foreigners within mining sites in the state to vacate the area immediately.
The government also launched a special operation to stop bandits in the state.
Speaking during a press briefing, Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, cited “significant improvements in the security situation across the state” as a reason for lifting the ban.
In a statement on Sunday by Segun Tomori, special assistant to the minister, Alake said Nigeria has a lot to gain from the reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara which is imbued with vast gold, lithium, and copper belts.
Alake noted that the previous ban, which was good-intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources.
The minister noted that Zamfara’s potential for contributing to national revenue is “enormous”.
“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,” Alake said.
The minister added that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
He said this will enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
Commending the media for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024, Alake noted that the press has been a key ally 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.
He said Nigeria’s military remains fully capable of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
“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,” the minister said.
“We’ve signed similar ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, despite facts to the contrary, is uncalled for.”
Alake urged the media to continue to play its crucial role in educating the public about government policies to prevent ignorance, mischief, and the spread of misinformation.
The minister also hinted at upcoming policy initiatives aimed at revitalising the mining sector in 2025.
Alake said the ministry plans to further consolidate reforms, enhance the enabling environment for investments, and continue efforts to reposition the sector for long-term, sustainable growth
