The Nigerian Government has lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, during a press briefing, and detailed in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Segun Tomori.
“The Nigerian Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the statement read.
Mr Alake noted that Nigeria “stands to benefit greatly from the reawakening of economic activities in a highly mineral-rich state like Zamfara, which boasts vast reserves of gold, lithium, and copper.”
The minister explained that while the previous ban was well-intentioned, it inadvertently created a vacuum that was exploited by illegal miners, resulting in the loss of valuable resources to the nation. He emphasised the enormous potential of Zamfara to contribute to national revenue.
“The existential threats to lives and property that necessitated the 2019 ban have subsided. The commendable achievements of security operatives have led to a significant reduction in insecurity. With the ban now lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” Mr Alake said.
He further highlighted the Tinubu administration’s efforts, noting that intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have neutralised key bandit leaders. One such success was the recent capture of Halilu Sububu, a notorious bandit commander, during a covert operation in Zamfara.
According to Mr Alake, lifting the ban would also pave the way for better regulation of mining activities in the state. This, in turn, would enhance intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure that the country benefits fully from Zamfara’s rich mineral resources.
He commended the press for their role in promoting reforms within the ministry and supporting initiatives aimed at sanitising the mining sector. He noted that the media had been instrumental in making the industry attractive to both local and foreign investors.
Addressing the recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France, Mr Alake reaffirmed that the agreement did not entail Nigeria relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military alliance with France.
“The primary focus of the MoU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. Nigeria requires all the assistance it can get in terms of capacity building, technical expertise, and financial support from abroad. This is not the first such agreement; similar ones have been signed with Germany and Australia. The deliberate spread of misinformation, despite evidence to the contrary, is unnecessary,” he added.
