The National President National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, Abdullahi Dantasidi, has declared support for the Minister of Solid Minerals Development’s 30 days deadline to illegal miners in the country.
This was contained in an open letter signed by Dantasidi, addressed to Mr Dele Alake, the Hon Minister of Solid Minerals Development and made available to newsmen in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state, Thursday.
The minister recently issued a 30-day deadline to illegal miners in the country to join miners’ cooperatives or face the full wrath of the law.
Dantasidi, who expressed wholehearted support for the decision, said it would go a long way in combating illegal mining activities in the country.
“Illegal mining not only poses significant threat to our nation’s environment and natural resources but also undermines the livelihoods of countless indigenous miners who abide by the regulatory framework.
“Your resolute stance in this matter sends a powerful message that the rule of law will be upheld and that only responsible mining practices will be encouraged,” he said.
He said as critical stakeholders in the mining sector, artisanal miners believed that the minister’s decision is a step in the right direction in actualising President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goals in the mining sector for the overall development of Nigeria.
He however urged the minister to embrace a collaborative approach by working closely with the leadership of artisanal miners in the country to bridge the gap between government officials in the cities and local artisanal miners in the forests so as to get unregistered and illegal miners yet to join a cooperative to do so before the expiration of the 30 days deadline.
“We are committed to supporting your efforts in any way possible. Whether through advocacy, resource mobilization, or capacity-building programs, we stand ready to collaborate closely with your ministry to realize the full potential of this initiative,” he said.