The Federal Government has lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, a move that signals a significant shift in the region’s economic outlook.
Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced the decision in a press briefing on Sunday, according to his spokesman, Segun Tomori.
“The ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State has been lifted, following substantial improvements in the security situation across the state,” the statement read.
Alake emphasized that Nigeria stands to benefit greatly from revitalizing economic activities in Zamfara, a state rich in minerals like gold, lithium, and copper. He explained that the ban, although well-intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum that allowed illegal miners to exploit the state’s resources, depriving the country of vital revenue.
“The state holds immense potential for contributing to Nigeria’s national revenue,” Alake said, underscoring the importance of the mining sector in driving economic growth.
He also pointed out that the security situation that led to the 2019 ban has significantly improved. “The existential threats to lives and property that prompted the initial ban have been greatly reduced. Thanks to the efforts of security operatives, incidents of insecurity have notably decreased,” Alake noted. “With the ban now lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin to contribute to the nation’s revenue pool.”
Alake credited the success of intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations under the Tinubu administration for neutralizing key bandit commanders, which has had a direct impact on improving security in the state. One of the most significant victories, he pointed out, was the recent capture of notorious bandit leader Halilu Sububu in a covert operation in Zamfara.
The minister also stressed that lifting the ban would allow for better regulation of mining activities, making it easier to gather intelligence and combat illegal mining. This, he believes, will help ensure that Nigeria benefits from Zamfara’s abundant mineral resources in a structured and sustainable manner.
In his remarks, Alake also praised the media for its role in supporting the reforms and initiatives of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. “The press has been a key ally in efforts to sanitize the mining sector and promote market reforms, which have made the industry more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors,” he said.
Addressing recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France, Alake reaffirmed that the agreement does not mean Nigeria is relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France. “The primary focus of the MoU is training and capacity building for our mining professionals,” he clarified.
“We need all the technical, financial, and capacity support we can get from international partners. This MoU is not the first of its kind; similar agreements have been signed with Germany and Australia. The deliberate spread of misinformation is completely unjustified.”
