FG and NCDC Collaborate to Boost North-Central Mining

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is working to unlock the mining potentials of the North-Central region. Dr. Dele Alak, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, disclosed that 300 small-scale artisan miners are being organized into cooperatives as part of efforts to steer illegal mining activities into the formal sector.

This initiative follows the arrest of 300 illegal miners, including 150 foreigners, who are currently undergoing prosecution. The Ministry's value addition policy aims to contribute $2 billion to the country's economy, with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration focused on developing the mining sector.

The collaboration seeks to create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to drive the development of the sub-sector. Dr. Cyril Tsenyil from the NCDC emphasized the importance of partnership to leverage shared resources for sustainable development initiatives across the region.