FG lifts five-year ban on mining in Zamfara

The Federal Authorities has lifted the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara State after greater than 5 years of safety restrictions.

The Minister of Strong Minerals Growth, Dr Dele Alake, who disclosed this in Abuja, mentioned the choice was knowledgeable by the numerous enchancment within the safety scenario throughout the state.

Recall that in 2019, the federal government underneath former President Muhammadu Buhari introduced an entire ban on mining actions in Zamfara as a result of escalating safety considerations, significantly the hyperlinks between banditry and unlawful mining, in addition to a measure to revive peace to the state. In 2021, it additionally declared the state as a “no-fly zone’’ as a result of prevailing insecurity within the state.

Nevertheless, in an announcement launched on Sunday by Segun Tomori, the Minister of Strong Minerals’ Particular Assistant on Media, Alake mentioned President Tinubu and the nationwide safety adviser had evaluated the safety scenario and approval had been granted to start out mining exploration within the state.

The assertion learn, “The Federal Authorities has lifted the ban on mining exploration actions in Zamfara State, citing important enhancements within the safety scenario throughout the state. This coverage that we’re reversing as we speak got here on account of some severe safety considerations with relevance to the stable minerals sector.”

He mentioned the nation has rather a lot to realize from reawakened financial actions in a extremely mineralised state like Zamfara that’s imbued with huge gold, Lithium, and copper belts.

Acknowledging that the earlier ban was applied with good intentions, the minister identified that the coverage nonetheless created a vacuum that unlawful miners exploited to empty the nation’s sources.

He emphasised that the state’s potential for contributing to nationwide income is gigantic.

“The existential risk to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The safety operatives’ large strides have led to a notable discount within the stage of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can steadily start contributing to the nation’s income pool,” Alake asserted.

The minister famous that by intelligence-driven and coordinated safety operations, the Tinubu administration has considerably diminished incidents of insecurity by neutralising key bandits commanders.

He cited the latest seize of one of the vital wished bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.

The minister added that the lifting of the ban would additionally facilitate higher regulation of mining actions within the state.

This may allow more practical intelligence gathering to fight unlawful mining and make sure the nation advantages from the state’s wealthy mineral sources.

The assertion additionally counseled the media for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024. Alake famous that the press has been a key ally in efforts to sanitise the mining sector and promote market reforms, which have made the trade engaging to Indigenous and overseas buyers.

On the latest controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding with France, Alake reaffirmed the Federal Authorities’s place that the settlement doesn’t suggest Nigeria is relinquishing management over its mineral sources or coming into into any navy pact with France.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s navy stays totally able to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.

“The excessive level of the MOU is on coaching and capability constructing for our mining professionals. We’d like all the help we will get by way of capability, technical, and monetary assist from overseas, and that wasn’t even the primary we signed. We’ve signed comparable ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, regardless of info on the contrary, is uncalled for,” the minister acknowledged.

Alake additionally urged the media to proceed to play its essential position in educating the general public about authorities insurance policies to forestall ignorance, mischief, and the unfold of misinformation.

Looking forward to 2025, the minister hinted at upcoming coverage initiatives aimed toward revitalizing the mining sector.

He revealed that the ministry plans to additional consolidate reforms, improve the enabling setting for investments, and proceed efforts to reposition the sector for long-term, sustainable development.