Dele Alake Proposes Mine Emergency Fund at UN Assembly

Dele Alake, the Solid Minerals Development Minister and chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), advocated for a Mine Emergency and Community Development Fund during the third AMSG High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development, which took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. He proposed the establishment of an African safety facility to formalize artisanal mining and promote cooperatives among member countries.

Alake highlighted the tragedies of mine collapses in Africa, referencing significant losses in Congo and the Central African Republic, as well as recent fatalities among detained illegal miners in Nigeria. He stressed the importance of formalizing artisanal miners, who support millions of livelihoods, rather than criminalizing them.

Alake also signed the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration to enhance regional infrastructure and investment collaboration. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the event, urged AMSG to foster African industrial development through partnerships with foreign entities.