Abuja, Oct. 2023 – The federal government has extended its deadline to illegal miners to join cooperatives by 30 days.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, announced the extension at a news briefing on the 8th Nigeria Mining Week.
He said the ultimatum was not a punitive measure, but to help miners join the existing artisanal cooperatives and legalise their activities.
The minister said government decided to extend the ultimatum by 30 days because of pragmatism associated with mining, adding that there would be no reprieve for anybody who failed to meet the new deadline.
He described the mining week as a significant milestone in the ministry’s continuous efforts to showcase the potential of the country’s mining sector.
“It avails an ample opportunity for collective action and collaboration between the public and private sectors, civil society, and international partners,” he said.
The minister said the sector had executed critical reforms that had attracted both local and foreign investments.
Mary Ogbe, the Permanent secretary in the ministry, said the event would span a wide range of events such as discussions on issues of regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, social responsibility and environmental conservation.
