FG partially lifts ban on mining activities in FCT

The Federal Government Committee on Earth Tremor has lifted initial suspension imposed on all blasting and mining activities around the areas that experienced minor earth tremors in the FCT recently.

Arising from a crucial meeting held yesterday in the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Cabinet Committee on Earth Tremor said constructions and blasting of stones resume around the affected areas with the exception of Mpape.

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, in a statement, said the decision to resume mining activities around areas that experienced minor earth tremors only accommodates construction activities and blasting of stones.

“The Federal Government after review of the suspension of blasting and mining activities around areas that experienced minor earth tremors has decided to lift the suspension placed on such activities with immediate effect. All areas under suspension are to resume activities except for the Mpape axis. However, mining companies are advised by this renewed move to ensure they put in place sensors on their sites to detect some would be tremors before it happens,” the statement said.

The suspension was put in place in order to enable the team of experts put together by the ministry to do a thorough investigation into the remote causes of what triggered the tremor.