HIGHLIGHTING THE GOVERNOR ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ'S REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS/ACTIVITIES/ INITIATIVES IN THE PAST YEAR: MINISTRY OF SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. PROCUREMENT OF PRELIMINARY EXPLORATION EQUIPMENT

Before now, for any possible field exercise for mineral claim findings, the Ministry always rent equipment including GPS, an important tool for determining a mineral site location. The advent of this administration brought in tremendous changes as the Ministry can now boast of having a pair of GPS, Compass clinometer, helmets, field boots, metal detector, weighing balance etc. which can be put into use by the three professional Directorates of the Ministry.

2. ORGANIZED/ HOSTED MINING STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING/ESTABLISHMENT OF MINING STAKEHOLDERS’ COMMITTEE

In a bid to make a turnaround in the Mining sector of the State, the Ministry organized and hosted an inaugural Mining Stakeholders’ meeting, where notable citizens and relevant operators in the State graced the occasion. The event witnessed the attendance of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service who were ably represented respectively. At the end of the meeting, a Mining Stakeholders Committee was inaugurated.

3. IDENTIFICATION OF 230 LICENSED MINING OPERATORS

Through one of her working visits to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Mining Cadastre Office), Abuja, the Honourable Commissioner identified that the State has about 230 Licensed Operators who are into minerals like gold, tourmaline, tantalite, marble etc. Move has begun to identify with these identified operators to restructure the sector.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF 23 RESTRICTED MINERAL DEPOSITS

As earlier mentioned, a working visit of the Ministry enabled the discovery that about 23 mining licenses have been placed on restriction known as Specially Protected Areas (SPAs) by the Mining Cadastre Office, Abuja. The restriction is occasioned by non-renewal of the licenses. It is important to note that mineral deposits under restriction are mostly very viable areas which if acquired and put into use, are reliable IGR sources.

6. PREFEASIBILITY STUDY OF SELECTED SITES ACQUIRED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT

 AREAS VISITED INCLUDED:

(i) Oreke Marble Site and Babanla Tourmaline/ Tantalite site.

These sites are located in Ifelodun L.G.A

(ii) Ndeji/Lema Tourmaline/Tantalite Site in Edu L.G.A. 

(iii) Gwanara Tourmaline Site in Baruten L.G.A.

However, it is unfortunate to note that the licenses covering the aforementioned sites have since expired.

7. REGISTRATION OF FIVE (5) SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES (SPVs)

These are mining companies intended to be used for acquisition of viable mining sites in the State. This will enable a robust platform for wooing investors.

8. RIGOROUS EFFORTS IN CHECK-MATING ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES

(i) Based on report received from Rifun community in Patigi L.G.A., the Minisrty in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, mobilized to the illegal gold mining site where many illegal miners were working.

(ii) However, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development have established a Gold processing plant at the site.

(iii) Odo-Eku Gold site in Isin L.G.A.: the joint collaboration of this Ministry, the State’s MIREMCO and the Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development led to the discovery of a gold mining site which was not acquired appropriately by the supposed company claiming its ownership.

 

9. RELENTLESS EFFORTS ON MINING BILL/ MINERAL POLICY DOMESTICATION 

The Ministry has severally collated a Domesticated Mining Bill and Mineral Policy frame work to enable mining operations and revenue generation in the State. The Mining Bill has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for vetting after which it has been sent to His Excellency, the Executive Governor for onward passage to the House of Assembly for consideration.

10. ROBUST COLLABORATION WITH SECURITY AGENCIES IN THE STATE

In a bid to be on top of security challenges at mining sites in the State, the Ministry has initiated and consolidated her collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Directorate of State Security and Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the State. Visitations and discussions have taken place with assurances from the respective Heads of the different Agencies who submitted that the Ministry should be confident of their support where necessary.

11. ESTABLISHMENT OF A FORMIDABLE SYNERGY WITH TRANSITION IMPLEMENTATION CHAIRMEN OF THE 16 L.G.A.s.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development have organized and met with the 16 L.G.A. Chairmen where interactive discussions were held on consent and CDA Community Development Agreements (CDA) issues in respect of host communities of mining sites.

12. ON – THE – SPOT ASSESSMENT VISIT TO KAKAFU MINING SITE, PATIGI L.G.A

Based on several information received on the extent of degradation at the Kakafu mining site, the Ministry in collaboration with MIREMCO and the Nigeria security and the Civil Defense Corps, visited the area to ascertain the exact status and met the community Heads on the ways forward in ensuring that the site is developed appropriately to enable all stakeholders reap the desired benefits.

13. HOSTING OF MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (NCMMRD) 

His Excellency approved the NCMMRD meeting hosted by the State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development on 15th – 17th January, 2024

Hon. Alabi Afees Abolore

Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development