The minister of solid minerals development, Kayode Fayemi, at the weekend said that the federal government is concerned about illegal and unsafe mining operations going on in the states, especially in Plateau State, which is considered as the hub of mining in the country.
Fayemi made the remark when the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja, Ambrose Momoh, who is the deputy director of press in the ministry said in a statement.
He expressed the federal government’s willingness to partner with the Plateau State government in addressing illegal mining in the state.
The minister observed that the bulk of the people involved in illegal mining are doing it in unsafe and environmentally unsound manner, and that there was need to nib the practice in the bud.
He also encouraged the state government to register artisanal miners and organize them into cooperatives adding that the federal government is prepared to support them with funding, technical assistance and ensure that they also work in partnership with established license holders in the state.
In his response, Lalong said that mining is one of the priority sectors of Plateau State, and that the State government would not allow illegal mining to flourish any longer in the state.

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FG partners Plateau State to eliminate illegal mining

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