Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Minister, called for stakeholder collaboration to reclaim abandoned mining sites in Plateau State. The initiative, part of a GIS database project by ImPPPact Nigeria Alliance, aims to collect data on these sites for effective planning and future renewable energy projects.
Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has urged collaboration among stakeholders to reclaim abandoned mining sites in Plateau State. This call came during a meeting with Mr. Olushola Ajayi, Managing Director of ImPPPact Nigeria Alliance, who visited to discuss a GIS database initiative aimed at these reclamation efforts. The Minister, represented by Dr. Ijeoma Idika, highlighted the importance of partnerships for the project’s success.
Ajayi stated that Plateau State is the first beneficiary of this reclamation initiative under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023. He emphasised the importance of Geographic Information System (GIS) data for environmental assessments and planning efforts. Currently, there is no existing GIS data for the area, which is crucial for identifying potential reclamation sites.
The project consists of two phases. The initial phase will focus on collecting data for the GIS database of abandoned mining pits to help identify and characterise these sites. Ajayi noted that understanding the condition of these sites is vital for effective rehabilitation efforts.
Collaboration is set to involve experts from Intomatics, a German company specialising in geomatic services, who will use satellite imagery for data collection. This data will be cross-referenced with real-world conditions in Plateau State to ensure accuracy in site assessments.
In the second phase, the focus will shift to reclaiming the identified sites and repurposing them for solar energy, ultimately positioning Plateau as a renewable energy hub. Depending on site conditions, opportunities for agriculture or tourism may also be explored.
Andreas Kuhnen from Intomatics explained that AI programmes will process the GIS data collected, extracting relevant information from satellite images to support the reclamation workflow.
Minister Alake’s initiative highlights the critical need for collaborative efforts in reclaiming abandoned mining sites in Plateau State, using GIS technology. The project aims to recover these areas for renewable energy and other economic activities, with a structured two-phase approach that emphasises accurate data collection and planning. Potential benefits include revitalised land for agricultural, tourism, and energy production purposes.
Original Source: von.gov.ng