An NGO, the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), has called for stronger actions against illegal mining in order to boost Nigeria’s rising mining revenue.
RDI`s Executive Director, Mr Philip Jakpor, made the call in an interview with our Correspondent on Sunday in Abuja.
Freedomonline recalls that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has stated that the sector’s revenue rose from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024.
Alake said that this was due to tighter licensing, a crackdown on illegal mining, and a policy that promotes mineral processing in line with value addition.
Jakpor described the significant increase in Nigeria’s solid mineral earnings as positive but still a far cry from the country’s potential.
“The quantum leap in Nigeria’s earnings from solid minerals is a good development but still a far cry from where we should be as a nation because the government is yet to plug the economic losses attributable to illegal mining.
“The value addition that the minister alluded to is disputable because most of the firms involved in mining are still foreign firms that export the minerals raw, that is why illegal mining persists. We need to see concrete steps to stop illegal mining,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s mining standards are inadequate, and the government should enforce standards that mining firms must meet to operate in the country.
He said the move would help address hazards that miners were exposed to, such as mines collapses.
