The Federal Government has announced the lifting of the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State.
The decision, aimed at rejuvenating the local economy and addressing the region’s security challenges, was made public by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
The mining ban, imposed in 2021, was intended to curtail the alarming rise in banditry and illegal mining operations, which were believed to have fueled insecurity and contributed to a shadow economy that financed criminal groups.
Over the years, Zamfara became synonymous with the artisanal mining of gold and other valuable minerals, attracting both local and international attention. However, the ban stifled legitimate mining ventures and left the region’s economy in a precarious state.
Illegal mining has reportedly led to environmental degradation and pollution of several communities’ water sources.
Alake explained that the earlier ban, imposed in 2019 to address security concerns tied to illegal mining and banditry, had inadvertently allowed unregulated operators to exploit the state’s resources.
“With the lifting of the ban, Zamfara’s mining sector can now contribute meaningfully to national revenue while enabling better regulation and combating illegal operations more effectively,” Alake stated.
He further noted that the existential threats to lives and property that prompted the ban have significantly diminished.
“The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in insecurity. With the ban lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” he said.
Alake also praised the Tinubu administration’s security efforts, highlighting intelligence-driven and coordinated operations that have neutralized key bandit commanders.
A recent success story was the covert capture of one of Zamfara’s most wanted bandit leaders, Halilu Sububu, an operation that underscored the effectiveness of renewed security strategies.
He revealed that through collaboration between government agencies, intelligence gathering, and strategic security formations spearheaded by the National Security Adviser, the Federal Government is now poised to resume mining activities while ensuring the protection of lives and properties in Zamfara
