Nigeria has lifted a ban on mining exploration in the country's northwestern state of Zamfara after a five-year suspension, the mines minister said, citing improved security.
Mining activities in Zamfara, which has huge deposits of gold, lithium and copper, were suspended in 2019 following incessant attacks by bandits.
“The giant strides by security agents have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool” , said Dele Alake, Minister of Mines, in a statement on Sunday.
During the suspension, he said illegal miners had exploited state resources.
Africa's largest oil producer, which is also rich in gold, limestone and zinc, wants its mining industry, which accounts for less than 1% of its GDP, to play a bigger role in its efforts of diversification of the economy in relation to oil.
To try to encourage investors, he introduced reforms, including revoking unused licenses, offering investors a 75% stake in a new national mining company, reducing exports of unprocessed minerals, and enforcing compliance with rules against illegal mining.
As part of its capacity building efforts, Nigeria signed a training and development agreement with France earlier this month.
“We need all the support we can get, including technical, financial and capacity-building assistance from abroad. This is not the first agreement of its kind; Similar partnerships have been established with Germany and Australia,” Mr Alake said.
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