TheCable

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says the ministry will ensure that mining is conducted in line with global standards to minimise harm to the environment. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Segun Tomori, Alake’s media aide, said the minister stated this while receiving Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, in his office.

Alake said the federal government is committed to securing mining areas and removing impediments to seamless operations. 

Lawal said there is need to ensure that mining operations are conducted within the limit of tolerable impact on the environment.

He also expressed concerns on security issues around mining sites and the need to ramp up protection of such areas.

“Recently, the minister launched a solid minerals roadmap, which I think took care of the issue of the environment because whenever there is mining, the environment will be affected one way or the other,” Lawal said. 

“So, we are working very closely to see that whatever is being done will be within the limit of tolerable impact on the environment.”

In December 2023, the ministry of solid minerals development collaborated with the ministry of defence to secure mining areas in the country, in a bid to wipe out illegal miners and bandits.