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The Federal Government has reiterated its determination for
sustainable mining operations for the socio-economic
development of Nigeria.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa
Mohammed Sada made the disclosure at a one day sensitization
forum on Sustainable Mining in Gusau, Zamfara State.
Arc. Sada disclosed that the forum was organized as a result
of the unfortunate incident of lead Poisoning that befell
Zamfara State recently.
The Minister explained that the impact of the sad incident
was not lost on Nigerians and other Stakeholders.
He added that it was against that backdrop that the forum
was organized to bring different stakeholders to discuses
and fashion out ways to ensure that our God given resources
are utilized in a safe and an environmental friendly manner.
Arc. Sada said that the forum would also emphasize the
importance of enlightenment and awareness campaigns in
mining communities on government policies as regards the
mining industry in Nigeria.
The Minister expressed the sympathy of the Federal
Government to the Government and the people of Zamfara State
especially the bereaved families and assured that the
Federal Government was taking all the necessary steps to
prevent the reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident in
Zamfara State or in any other part of the country.
Arc. Sada disclosed that after the Stakeholders Forum the
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development would meet with all
the Mineral Title holders in Abuja on the way forward for
meaningful and responsible exploration and exploitation of
the mineral resources in the country.
The Minister said that at the meeting the 2007 Minerals and
Mining Act, and the principle of “use it or lose at “in the
Act would be discussed in details with the Mineral Title
holders.
Arc. Sada observed that the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act is
very good and protective for good business.
He, however, added that the problem is that the 2007
Minerals and Mining Act had been loosely implied and the
Ministry is putting some strategic actions in place to
address that challenge.
The Minister also disclosed that another challenge
militating against the development of the Mining industry is
infrastructure.
He said discussions are in progress with government and
other agencies for the provision of the necessary
infrastructure for the development of Nigeria’s Mining
industry.
In his remarks at the event, the Executive Governor of
Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shirikafi who was
represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukthar Ahmed
Anka said the Stakeholders forum is a decisive step
nationally and globally to ensure safety in the mining and
human environment.
To ensure sanity in the Mining industry in Zamfara State and
the whole country Governor Shinkafi suggested the following:
Individuals and companies issued Mineral Titles should be
made to comply with accepted and standard mineral processing
regulations; States should be involved in the process of the
issuance of Mineral Titles; Individuals and Companies issued
Mineral Titles should be made to use such titles or lose
them.
Alhaji Shinkafi expressed the gratitude of the Government
and the people of Zamfara State to the Federal Government,
local and international organizations for their support
during the incident of the lead Poisoning in Anka and
Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of the State.
In a goodwill message by the Minister of Water Resources,
Mr. Obadiah Ando represented by Dr. Olusanjo A. Bamgboye,
the Acting Executive Director, National Water Resources
Institute, Kaduna, he observed that sustainable mining can
take place when you have human beings that are living to
carry out the activities.
The Minister of Water Resources added that people cannot
live without good drinking water because water sustains
life.
The Minister disclosed that as a result of the lead poison
incident, the Federal Government had finalized arrangements
to provide 12 solar bore holes for potable water in the lead
poison affected communities in Zamfara State.
The Minister of Water Resources also disclosed that looking
at the findings in Zamfara and other states across the
country, the Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration
with the ministries of Mines and Steel Development, Health
and Environment have to put in place a drinking water
quality surveillance programme.
He explained that members of that inter ministerial
committee will be visiting states of the Federation to
examine the quality of their drinking water.
The Minister also disclosed that plans are on to ensure that
all the existing wells in the lead Poison affected
communities are properly capped, redeveloped, flushed and
treated to eliminate the contamination of the ground water.
The Stakeholders’ Forum was attended by the Executive
Governor of Zamfara state ably represented by his Deputy,
the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, the
representative of the Minister of Water Resources ,the
Zamfara State Executive Council, representative of the
State Commissioner of Police, Local Government Chairmen of
Zamfara State, Traditional Rulers, Mineral Title Holders,
Miners, Non-governmental organizations, Directors of the
Ministry, Directors – General of Agencies in the Ministry of
Mines and Steel Development and Media men.
The various technical papers delivered at the forum focused
on: Formalization of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining
Operations; Mineral Titles Administration and Cadastre
system in Nigeria; Mining Environmental Issues obligations;
Mining practice, Occupational Health and Safety; Sustainable
Mining Practice.
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