Tag: Mining activities

FG defends revocation of mining licences

Aminu Imam
FG on mining licences2

…Accuses firm of peddling false claims The Federal Government has defended its decision to revoke several mineral titles over unpaid statutory fees, accusing a mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, of spreading false claims about Nigeria’s mining sector. The allegation was made in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, who said the company was attempting to discredit ongoing reforms in the sector. Tomori stated that the ministry became aware of plans by the firm to sponsor negative publicity abroad,…

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37 killed in gas leak at Plateau mine

Aminu Imam
37 miners killed in Plateau

No fewer than 37 miners were killed in Kampani Zurak community, of Wase local government area of Plateau state, following a carbon monoxide leak in the early hours of yesterday. A miner in the community, Safiyanu Haruna, who confirmed the incident, said that over 20 victims who sustained injuries in the incident had been rushed to a hospital in Wase town for treatment. According to Haruna, the incident occurred around 6:30am when the victims, who had performed their morning prayers, returned to the mining site and suddenly fell victims to…

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‘FG bans mining within 10km radius of bridges nationwide’ – Umahi

Aminu Imam
FG bans mining

The Federal Government has banned all forms of mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges across the country. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced the directive during a press briefing in Enugu at the weekend, following an inspection of ongoing projects in the South-East zone. He said the ban would curb the destruction of roads and bridges and enhance public safety According to Umahi, the directive, which aligns with decisions of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is aimed at strengthening the structural integrity of bridges nationwide. He added…

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FG revokes 1,263 mineral licenses over unpaid fees

Aminu Imam
FG revokes

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses. These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, yesterday in Abuja. The Minister explained that the directive was…

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“How Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office became threat to national security” – Industry expert

Aminu Imam
Industry expert on mining

Once envisioned as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification, the Mining Cadastre Office, (MCO), now stands accused of widespread corruption, operational failure, and contributing to what experts describe as a national security threat. Housed in an inconspicuous government building at House 37, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, the MCO is tasked with regulating the issuance of mining licenses across Nigeria. However, according to a scathing exposé by industry expert, Engr. Biliyaminu Surajo, the office has become a hotbed of bribery, mismanagement, and systemic dysfunction that is crippling the mining sector.…

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‘Tinubu’s mining reforms yield 6-fold revenue increase, $800m FDI’ – Alake

Aminu Imam
Alake

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, driven by the Tinubu administration’s new policy of local value-addition and a tightened licensing regime, attracted over $800 million in processing projects last year. The sector also generated over ₦38 billion in revenue in 2024, up from just ₦6 billion the previous year, despite receiving only 18% of its ₦29 billion budgeted allocation. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, revealed this during a feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary, said the sector has witnessed an increase in…

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‘Nigeria’s Lithium boom raises concerns’ – Stakeholders 

Aminu Imam
Nigeria’s Lithium boom

Nigeria’s artisanal lithium mining is drawing thousands seeking fortune, but concerns over illegal operations, environmental impact, and conflicts persist.  In Nasarawa State, miners, such as Abdullahi Ibrahim Ɗanjija earn twice the minimum wage extracting the metal vital for electric batteries and mobile phones. Much of the mining is informal, with families, including children, working without permits or safety measures. Chinese companies dominate the trade, buying raw lithium and processing it locally before exporting it.  Nigeria aims to attract investment, but now requires foreign firms to set-up processing plants, a move…

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Senate proposes new Special Security Force on illegal mining

Aminu Imam
Alake on mining

The 10th Senate is pushing for the creation of a specialised security force, the Nigerian Mine Rangers Service (NMRS), aimed at curbing illegal mining activities across the nation. The Bill, which has successfully passed its second reading, is sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa-South). During the debate, Senator Onawo emphasised that the NMRS, once established, would be responsible for protecting mining operations, enforcing environmental and safety regulations, and promoting sustainable mining practices in Nigeria. He detailed that this specialised service would combat illegal mining and assist trapped miners, provide…

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Zamfara: Gov. Lawal bans all mining in State

Aminu Imam
Zamfara Gov. Lawal

Pledges support for onslaught against Turji Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has signed an Executive Order banning all forms of mining activities in the State. According to him, the order will be in force until necessary arrangements are made between the Federal and State governments on how to benefit from mining activities. The Governor, who disclosed this during a television programme yesterday, said that he doesnt have comprehensive list of miners in the State, adding that he does not know how much the Federal Government is earning from mining in…

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Nigeria eyes $172bn investment in mining, agriculture, others

Aminu Imam
Nigeria investments

A multi-national company, Nigeria Backbone Infrastructure Limited, (NBIL), has announced its intention to invest $172billion to develop various infrastructure sectors in the country. This investment, utilising alternative financing options, will be allocated to mineral resources, energy, agriculture, housing, and transportation sectors for the next 22 years, a statement by the company said yesterday. The administration of President Bola Tinubu has openly reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the country, while also promoting alternative financing for the construction of essential infrastructure projects. Recall that last year,…

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