Play by rules or face sanctions, FG warns mining firms

MINISTER of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, yesterday directed mining firms to comply with the nation’s revised Community Development Agreements ( CDAS) or risk sanctions from the government.

At the inaugural BusinessDay Solid Minerals Conference, titled “Digging Deeper: Diversifying Nigeria’s Economy for Wealth Creation,” he lauded the newspaper for upholding ethics of journalism, while lending its platform for independent and analytical dissemination of information to the citizenry.

His words: “Many of you witnessed the attempt to abort the emergence of this civilian administration, even at its embryonic stage by media carpet- baggers. It is, therefore, a matter of great relief that Businessday broke from this negativism, by demonstrating exemplary liberalism, openness, and fair play.”

He emphasised that his seven- point agenda was on course, adding that the proposed establishment of Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation had reached an advanced stage.

The minister, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said the government was exploring funding options to undertake an ambitious integrated exploration project that would produce a comprehensive coverage of all categories of minerals in the entire landscape of 923,768 square kilometres.

He told his audience that President Bola Tinubu is prioritising security around mining sites and natural resources, hence the raising of an inter- ministerial committee, chaired by the minister.

HOWEVER, some women have reportedly lost their lives in Bauchi State, as a mining pit collapsed in Gudum Sayawa suburb of Bauchi metropolis, while several others sustained injuries, located 800 metres from the community.

It was learned that villagers visit the mining site daily to mine different minerals such as monoxide, zaicon and other precious stones for transaction with other business communities as a means of survival.