The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has re-emphasised its commitment to promoting environmentally-responsible mining practices in Nigeria.
This was highlighted during a sensitisation workshop and town hall meeting on ‘Environmental Obligations of Mineral Title Holders, Mining Activities and Climate Change’ on Tuesday in Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, represented by the director, Legal Services, Mrs Nwamaka Odili, delivered a keynote address, stressing the critical role mining sector plays in addressing climate change and urged stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact.
Dr Ogbe reminded participants that the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 clearly outlines the environmental obligations that mineral title holders must meet at every stage of mining operations before commencement, during mining activities and post-mining operations.
“The federal government is fully committed to creating a conducive environment for responsible mining practices,” Dr Ogbe noted.
She further highlighted the ministry’s efforts to professionalise the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund (EPRF), an initiative aimed at ensuring that mining activities do not harm the environment.
In the light of the growing global concern around climate change, she also stressed the need for stakeholders in the mining sector to actively contribute towards mitigating its impact, while urging operators to adopt sustainable mining practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and embrace the use of renewable energy sources.
She said the ministry was dedicated to supporting the research and development of climate-friendly mining technologies while calling on stakeholders to unite towards sustainable practices.
Speaking at the workshop, the director of Mining Environmental Compliance (MEC), Dr Vivian Okono, emphasised the need for collective action in combating climate change within the mining sector even as she reinforced the call earlier made by the permanent secretary for stakeholders to adopt sustainable mining practices and reduce their environmental impact.
In addition to environmental stewardship, Dr Okono, among other things, highlighted the importance of mining operators fulfilling their Community Development Agreements (CDA), as enshrined in the Nigerian Mining Act of 2007 that mining communities benefit from social and infrastructural development.
“Operators have obligations not only to extract minerals, but to protect and improve the welfare of mining communities through projects like the provision of clean water, electricity and markets,” she said.
Goodwill messages were delivered by key stakeholders like the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Chairman of Lagos State Mineral Resources & Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), the president of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria (Lagos state branch), the chairmen of both the Miners and Dredgers Associations (Badagry branch), and the chairperson of Women in Mining (Lagos state chapter).