FG lifts ban on mining in Zamfara State after 5 years
The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, marking the end of a restriction imposed due to security concerns.
This decision comes after a thorough review of the security situation in the state.
In 2019, under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, a complete ban on mining was enacted in Zamfara due to escalating insecurity. Additionally, the state was declared a “no-fly zone” in 2021 to curb illegal activities linked to the mining sector.
Segun Tomori, the special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals, revealed in a statement on Sunday that the current administration had evaluated the security landscape. Minister Dele Alake confirmed that the President and the National Security Adviser had approved the resumption of mining exploration in the state.
“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the statement read.
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The government highlighted the economic benefits of reopening mining activities in Zamfara, a state rich in gold, lithium, and copper deposits.
“This policy that we are reversing today came as a result of some serious security concerns with relevance to the solid minerals sector,” the statement noted.
It added that the previous decision to halt mining activities had left the sector open to illegal operators, creating a loss of formal economic opportunities.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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