Illegal Mining: Federal Govt To Boost Operational Capacity Of Mining Marshals

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has assured Nigerians that ongoing plans to boost the capacity of the Mining Marshals will further rid the country of illegal miners.

The minister disclosed this while addressing participants in Course 34 of the Nigerian Defence College in Abuja.

Speaking on the solid minerals value chain and the impact on economic growth, Alake said the Mining Marshals had lived up to the mandate to provide an enforcement agency for the sector.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Segun Tomori, the Minister stated that scaling up the Mining Marshals’ logistical strength in terms of vehicles, equipment, and weaponry will enable the expansion of the agency’s operations to the 774 local governments and enhance the security of mines and miners.

Among its achievements, according to Alake, are the reclamation of 90 sites from bandits and illegal miners, the prosecution of over 300 suspects and the monitoring of 450 sites threatened by illegal mining.

Responding to concerns over inter-agency rivalry with the Mining Marshals, Alake acknowledged the support of other military and security agencies, such as the Nigerian Army and Police, for the smooth collaboration that has enabled the Mining Marshals to excel.

The minister, represented by his special adviser, Kehinde Bamigbetan, took the participants through the value chain of the solid minerals sector, including licensing, exploration, community engagement, extraction, processing, and sales.

He said the Seven-Point Agenda, the roadmap he introduced as minister, has added value to the sector’s value chain by sanitising the sector and blocking financial leakages.

Citing the increase in total revenue of the ministry from N6 Billion in 2022 to N12 billion in 2024 and currently at N26 billion as of October this year, Alake said this was achieved by raising the bar of compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

“Over 3,700 titles have been revoked for failing to pay annual service fees and failing to mine in line with the use or lose principle,” he said, adding that companies had been warned to comply with the Community Development Agreements and meet environmental obligations.

To further position the sector for international competitiveness, Alake said the establishment of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company had opened the door to investors ready for joint ventures.