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In an attempt to
address some of the challenges militating against the
sustainable development of the Mining industry in Nigeria
the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is organizing a
stakeholders’ forum in August 2010.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa
Mohammed Sada made the disclosure when the Executive
Governor of Zamfara State Alh. Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi paid
him a working visit.
Arc. Sada explained that the essence of the forum is to
enlighten and sensitize miners and all other stakeholders on
safety, the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act for sustainable
development of the mining industry in Nigeria.
The Minister explained that the stakeholders forum would
address issues to do with the happenings in the two
villages where the lead poison incident occurred in Zamfara
State and other areas across the country where serious
mining activities are taking place to prevent the
re-occurrence of the sad lead poison incident that led to
the death of many children and other mining mishaps.
Arc. Sada disclosed that after the stakeholders’ fora
possibilities of the lifting of ban on mining operations in
Zamfara State would be considered for the operators to
continue mining activities.
The Minister said that the Ministry of Mines and Steel
Development had concluded arrangements to start dialogue
with Mining Title holders with a view to ensuring
continuous activity on them.
He added that the Ministry would commence with the Mining
Title holders in Zamfara State and remind them of the “use
it or loose it” clause in the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act.
The Minister explained that if a Mining Title holder is
taking care of his/her title no informal, miner will come
and mine in his/her area of operation.
In the words of the Minister: “We believe if we are able to
implement that provision; the issue of informal mining and
unwholesome practices will be eradicated or reduced
drastically across the country in the Mining industry.”
The Minister noted that Zamfara State is one of the most
important states in the country as far as Mining is
concerned because of its solid mineral resources.
He added that if we can get things in order there, then that
will be a template for us to get other operators to do
things well in the Mining industry across the country.
Arc. Sada said that he was very happy with the governor’s
visit. He said that since he visited Zamfara State in June
2010 as a result of the lead Poison incident, the Ministry
has been doing quite a lot of things to prevent the
re-occurrence of such a sad incident in other parts of the
country.
Sada explained that he went to Washington in the United
State of America to brief the World Bank that sponsors our
Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project on that
issue and sought for assistance for the affected villages
and victims.
The Minister also disclosed that he and other management
staff of the Ministry visited the Department of State in
Washington, United States of America for assistance in the
draft of the Minerals and Mining Regulation of Nigeria. He
added that the US government had accepted to assist Nigeria
in that regard
He disclosed that members of the US team will meet with him
next week to finalize the issue on the draft regulation.
The Minister noted that one major problem in the Mining
industry is infrastructure. Consequently, he disclosed that
the Ministry was discussing with the World Bank for
additional funding to address that challenge as well.
The Minister thanked the governor and the government of
Zamfara State for providing additional office accommodation
to formations of the Ministry in that State.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State,
Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi said that the purpose of his
visit was to brief the Honourable Minister on the progress
report on the lead poison incident and to solicit for the
lifting of the ban on mining activities in the State.
Alhaji Shinkafi said that the situation is under control as
a result of the prompt medical attention and public
enlightenment campaign embarked upon by the Zamfara State
government and non-governmental agencies on the dangers of
the crude methods of mining and processing gold in the
state.
The Governor explained that Miners in Zamfara are using
better methods of Mining and processing solid mineral
resources in the state.
He added that the Miners are now enlightened on the use of
Kits, hand gloves, cover Coats and boots in Mining and
Processing Solid Minerals, utensils used for Mining and
Processing are now left at operation sites, said the
governor.
The Governor disclosed that the victims in the lead poison
incident received treatment for 28 days before they were
healed and discharged from the Bukkuyum General Hospital.
He disclosed that the Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in
the State are forming cooperatives under the leadership of
enlightened indigenes of the State to access Federal
Government assistance and the World Bank grant for the
sustainable development of the mining industry.
Governor Shinkafi said that the ban on Mining is still on in
the State. He sought the assistance of the Honourable
Minister of Mines and Steel Development to lift the ban on
mining in the state as the directive is affecting their
means of livelihood.
In the words of Governor Shinkafi:
“We have so many labourers waiting and many other
stakeholders are idle now. So that is why, Honourable
Minister I come with a letter for you to lift the ban on
mining activities in Zamfara State”.
The Governor disclosed that removal of the contaminated
top soil in the affected two villages had been completed and
being replaced with good soil and affected buildings being
cemented.
Alhaji Shinkafi thanked the Federal Government and
Non-governmental agencies for their cooperation and support
to the people and government of Zamfara State during the
lead poison incident.
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