The Federal Government has announced the suspension of the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, five years after the restriction was imposed due to security concerns.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, who cited significant improvements in security across the state as the primary reason for lifting the ban.
“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state. Nigeria 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,” the minister stated.
The mining ban, initially imposed in 2019, was intended to address rising insecurity in Zamfara. However, Alake acknowledged that the restriction inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners, resulting in the loss of valuable resources.
“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,” he said.
“Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity.
“A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.”
The minister further stated that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
He said this would enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
