The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for peaceful coexistence among mining firms operating in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The call was made on Friday after a meeting between the minister, represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom, and Governor Abdullahi Sule along with his cabinet members at the Government House in Lafia, the state capital.
The minister stated the need to resolve ongoing disputes among mining companies in the state ahead of the sixth National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources meeting, scheduled for November.
He pointed out that a peaceful and stable environment is crucial for attracting and sustaining investments in the solid minerals sector, and expressed confidence in Nasarawa State’s capability to host a successful event, given its significant role in Nigeria’s mining landscape.
“The Council for Mining and Mineral Resources Development is an initiative of the Federal Executive Council, designed as a prime consultative platform for all stakeholders in the mining industry to engage with the ministry,” Alake said.
Alake further explained that the upcoming November meeting would be structured into two sessions—technical and executive—allowing for comprehensive deliberations aimed at advancing the mining and mineral resources sectors.
Governor Sule expressed his gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for selecting Nasarawa State to host the National Council meeting.
He also commended the ministry’s efforts in addressing the disputes between two mining firms and the state government.
The governor took the opportunity to draw attention to the untapped mineral deposits in Kokona and Keana local government areas, urging the federal government to explore these resources.
Yakubu Kwanta, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, earlier welcomed the minister and his team, assuring them of the state government’s commitment to supporting federal initiatives aimed at enhancing the mining and mineral resources sectors.
The federal delegation also delivered a letter containing specific recommendations for resolving conflicts among the mining firms, based on a committee’s findings.