Alake Urges Investors to Transform Abandoned Mining Pits

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, issued a warning to illegal miners after a collapse at an unlicensed abandoned tin mine in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, resulted in the deaths of seven individuals. Alake stated that the tragedy could have been avoided if the miners had formed a co-operative and applied for a permit, which would have allowed them to benefit from the ministry’s artisanal mining department.

He expressed condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need to transform dangerous abandoned pits into productive sites. Alake announced that the government is open to investors interested in repurposing these pits for energy, tourism, and fishery projects.

He also mentioned a strategic initiative involving GIS satellite mapping and Artificial Intelligence to locate and rehabilitate legacy tin pits, with Plateau State as a pilot. Furthermore, he introduced the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund to ensure future rehabilitation of mine pits.