The Federal Government has authorized the deployment of an additional 350 mining marshals to various locations across the country with the aim of effectively protecting the nation’s minerals. This decision aligns with the government’s dedication to reforming the mining sector. Earlier this year, the government had commissioned the first 2,220 mining marshals to secure mining sites.
According to Segun Tomori, the minister’s special assistant on media, the new deployment of marshals follows the apprehension of over 200 illegal mining suspects, with 133 prosecutions currently underway. Additionally, illegally mined minerals that were confiscated have been relinquished to the federal government.
The Passing Out Parade for the new operatives at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja marked the addition of the second batch of marshals. During the parade, the Permanent Secretary, Mary Ogbe, who represented the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, commended the interior counterpart, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their efforts in combatting illegal mining.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, emphasized the success of the mining marshals in significantly reducing illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators nationwide. He stressed the importance of integrating and improving collaboration between mining marshals and Federal Mines Officers across the country to further enhance the operational effectiveness of the squad.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has affirmed its readiness to fully exploit the abundant solid mineral resources within the country. SMDF organized a training workshop to enhance the capacity of Nigerian geoscientists in utilizing remote sensing technology for geological mapping and mineral exploration.
The workshop, held in Abuja, aimed to advance the exploration and development of Nigerian Critical Minerals using innovative proprietary technology following a Memorandum of Understanding with the GeoScan GmbH of Berlin, Germany.
During the workshop, participants were equipped with knowledge of remote sensing technology, which is a cost-saving measure used by well-known mining nations such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa. The training emphasized that Remote Sensing Imagery could help save exploration costs and time, thereby placing Nigeria at an advantage in mineral exploration.
In addition, Remote Sensing Imagery is a more efficient method of mineral exploration that can help identify mineral deposits undercover and beneath vegetation. This is crucial, as many mineral deposits remain undiscovered due to inadequate geological mapping. By utilizing this technology, Nigeria can effectively compete with other similarly mineral-endowed nations and attract investors.
In conclusion, the measures taken by the Federal Government to deploy more mining marshals and adopt remote sensing technology demonstrate a concerted effort to safeguard mineral resources and revitalize the mining industry. With the assurance from SMDF to explore the nation’s solid mineral resources, Nigeria is poised to attract investments in the mining sector and contribute substantially to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.