By George George Idowu
The Federal Government has approved the deployment of 350 additional mining marshals across the country to enhance the safeguarding of national mineral resources.
Earlier this year, the government had inaugurated the first batch of 2,220 mining marshals to secure mining sites across the country.
This move, announced by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, underscores the government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on media to the minister, Segun Tomori, it was disclosed that over 200 illegal mining suspects have been arrested, with 133 prosecutions in progress, and illegally mined minerals have been confiscated.
During the Passing out Parade for the new operatives at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja, Alake, represented by Permanent Secretary Mary Ogbe, praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, led by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in combating illegal mining.
Alake highlighted the successes of the mining marshals, noting their significant impact on reducing illegal mineral haulage and unlicensed operations nationwide.
“The integration and improved collaboration between mining marshals and Federal Mines Officers will boost investor confidence and foster sector development,” he said.
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Abubakar Audi, stated that the new operatives underwent an intensive 8-week training program, preparing them to strengthen operations against illegal mining.
In the meantime, the Nigeria Solid Minerals Development Fund also affirmed its readiness to fully exploit the country’s abundant solid mineral resources, aiming to boost the nation’s GDP.
This commitment follows a training workshop on remote sensing technology for geological mapping and mineral exploration, part of a MoU with Germany’s GeoScan GmbH.
The workshop, led by image processing specialist Neil Pendock, highlighted the efficiency and cost-saving benefits of remote sensing technology.
Pendock emphasized that this technology could transform Nigeria’s mining sector, making it a global investment destination and addressing illegal mining challenges.
He also pointed out that Nigeria’s stable democracy and abundant resources could help it compete globally, provided it adopts transparent data practices and environmentally friendly mining methods.