The Federal Government has given illegal miners a 30-day deadline to stop their activity in the country.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, explained that all efforts to formalize unliscensed miners into cooperatives have proved abortive.
He also noted that as part of its transformation agenda, the ministry will review all mining licences in the country.
The minister also mentioned the foundation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Cooperation, joint partnerships with mining multinationals, the establishment of mine police/task forces, and the compilation of data for solid minerals in Nigeria.
This follows the Minister’s promised last week to sanitize the solid minerals sector by adopting more stringent regulations to create stability.
Receiving the Australian High Commission to Nigeria, Ms Lean Johnston in his office in Abuja, Alake had lamented the impact of illegal mining while pledging to address the situation.
He also promises to give priority to investors in the sector in order to improve the economy and create employment opportunities.
On her part, the Australian envoy is committing to provide support for the optimization of solid minerals in Nigeria.