The federal government has announced the lifting of the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, ending over five years of security restrictions to address the escalating insecurity in the state.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja.
Alake noted that after critical monitoring and assessment of the security situation, significant improvements had been observed, including the neutralization of key bandit commanders through coordinated security operations.
A notable success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit leaders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.
Alake emphasized that Zamfara is rich in gold, lithium, and copper, and the lifting of the ban would revitalize economic activities in the state, benefiting both Zamfara and the nation.
He acknowledged that while the ban was necessary to address insecurity and protect national resources, it had also inadvertently created a vacuum that illegal miners exploited.
“President Tinubu has approved the lifting of the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara. The state has vast mineral resources, and with the abatement of security threats, the mining sector will begin contributing to the nation’s revenue,” said Alake.
He also highlighted that lifting the ban would allow for better regulation of mining activities, making it easier to combat illegal mining and ensure that the country benefits from the state’s rich resources.
On the recent controversy regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and France, Alake clarified that the agreement does not involve any military pact or relinquishing control over Nigeria’s mineral resources. He explained that the MoU focuses on training and capacity building for Nigerian mining professionals, with technical and financial support from France.
“The MoU is about trade and capacity building. There is no military pact, and anyone who reads the MoU will see that it’s about developing the mining sector,” Alake stated.
