We Don’t Issue Mining Licences Without Communities’ Consent – Federal Govt

The federal government has declared that it always seeks the consent of communities before issuing mining operation licences to operators across the country.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Henry Alake, disclosed this while speaking during the maiden edition of the Rivers State Chapter summit of the Miners  Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Alake, who was represented by the Mines Officer/representative for the Rivers State office of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engineer Raymond Naku, stated that there has been a missing link in the development structure.

He said: “For decades, you will see all around, we have several minerals that are good to be explored, mined and developed. The potentials are not in doubt. What has been missing is a developing structure.

“What has been missing is the development structure. When you talk about structure, you’re talking about what you build on. So, these structures are structured in exploration data, processing, financing, and community engagement because the minerals in question do not occur in the air. That is why in the validation of every licence issued by the ministry, the community plays a very critical role.

“Foundation is the fact. Their consent is the foundation for every licence. If you don’t have consent for your letter, how do you operate? The essence of you having consent is to, first of all, ensure that when the licence is given to you, you have a peaceful atmosphere to work with.”

In his speech, MAN national president, HRH Oba Dele Ayanleke-Elegbede, said Nigeria has become a creative body for the economies of other nations.

Ayanleke-Elegbede said: “At the global level, especially in the global energy transition agenda, it is no longer news that the Nigerian soil is richly endowed with resources to be a major player.

“However, there is a palpable fear by the Miners Association of Nigeria and our partners that Nigeria might just be a mere creative body for the economy of other nations in the energy transition race if we fail to frontally tackle some of the doubting challenges, which are diminishing the contributions of the sector to our national economy and global relevance.”

In his welcome speech, the MAN state chairman, HRH Hope Opusingi, said that the association’s observations revealed an alarming level of inadequate awareness of key regulatory instruments governing mining operations.

“This marks a significant milestone, not only for the mining industry in Rivers State but also for the Rivers State chapter of the Miners Association of Nigeria as we commemorate two years of our purposeful leadership and service to the sector.

“During this period, we have engaged mining operators, communities, government institutions and industry stakeholders across the state and have identified critical challenges that continue to hinder the growth, compliance, competitiveness and sustainability of mining activities in Rivers State.

“Our observations revealed an alarming level of inadequate awareness of key regulatory instruments governing mining operations, particularly the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations Act, 2011.

“Major operators remain unfamiliar with the provisions of these laws while illegal mining activities continue to undermine government revenue, environmental sustainability and the integrity of the sector. It is against this backdrop that this summit has become timely and necessary.”

The summit, with the theme: “Repositioning the Mining Sector in Rivers State of Optimal Beneficiation to All Stakeholders”, had resource persons drawn from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).