The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara State after more than five years of security restrictions.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the decision was informed by the significant improvement in the security situation across the state.
Recall that in 2019, the government under former President Muhammadu Buhari announced a complete ban on mining activities in Zamfara due to the escalating security concerns, particularly the links between banditry and illegal mining, as well as a measure to restore peace to the state. In 2021, it also declared the state as a “no-fly zone’’ due to the prevailing insecurity in the state.
However, in a statement released on Sunday by Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals’ Special Assistant on Media, Alake said President Tinubu and the national security adviser had evaluated the security situation and approval had been granted to start mining exploration in the state.
The statement read, “The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state. This policy that we are reversing today came as a result of some serious security concerns with relevance to the solid minerals sector.”
He said the nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts.
Acknowledging that the previous ban was implemented with good intentions, the minister pointed out that the policy nonetheless created a vacuum that illegal miners exploited to drain the nation’s resources.
He emphasised that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue is enormous.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” Alake asserted.
The minister noted that through intelligence-driven and coordinated security operations, the Tinubu administration has significantly reduced incidents of insecurity by neutralising key bandits commanders.
He cited the recent capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.
The minister added that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
This will enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
The statement also commended the media for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024. Alake noted that the press has been a key ally in efforts to sanitise the mining sector and promote market reforms, which have made the industry attractive to Indigenous and foreign investors.
On the recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding with France, Alake reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that the agreement does not imply Nigeria is relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s military remains fully capable of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we signed. We’ve signed similar ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, despite facts to the contrary, is uncalled for,” the minister stated.
Alake also urged the media to continue to play its crucial role in educating the public about government policies to prevent ignorance, mischief, and the spread of misinformation.
Looking ahead to 2025, the minister hinted at upcoming policy initiatives aimed at revitalizing the mining sector.
He revealed that the ministry plans to further consolidate reforms, enhance the enabling environment for investments, and continue efforts to reposition the sector for long-term, sustainable growth.