‘Form mining companies, apply for licences’- Alake urges state governors

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake, has urged state governors to establish mining companies and apply for licenses.

This call was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the communiqué, Alake emphasized that this decision stemmed from recent policies, institutional, and operational reforms initiated by the ministry to fully exploit the mining potentials of the country.

“He sought the cooperation of State governments in his drive to create an enabling business environment for investors, support artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, address illegal mining, and de-risk the sector. The Minister encouraged State Governments to form mining companies and apply for mining licences,” the statement read in part.

However, while the governors said they “welcomed the reforms”, they advocated for stronger intergovernmental relations in coordinating the activities of the sector from licencing, surveillance, to operational safeguards.