The Federal Government has approved the procurement of a N2.5 billion satellite system to combat illegal mining across the country. This decision was made during the third Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the year, held on Monday.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the new technology would help monitor and regulate mining activities more effectively. He noted that illegal mining has led to significant revenue losses and unauthorized extraction of the country’s mineral resources.
“We are procuring satellite equipment and satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over the country that would enable us to have a visual effect in real time of the operations that are ongoing in sites all over the country,” Alake stated.
The minister explained that the system would be linked to an operational center, allowing authorities to track mining activities remotely. With real-time visuals, officials will be able to monitor mineral extraction, track the movement of trucks, and assess the security situation at mining sites.
Alake also spoke about the ministry’s two-pronged approach to addressing illegal mining. The first strategy, he noted, involves persuading artisanal miners to form cooperatives. By organizing into formal groups, miners can gain legal recognition, access financial support, and contribute to national revenue.
“When they form cooperatives, they become structured, formalised and legalised, and their operation can now add some value to the nation,” he said.
He added that so far, the ministry has successfully encouraged over 300 illegal and small-scale miners to form cooperative societies.
For those who refuse to comply, Alake said the government has taken a tougher approach through the Mining Marshals, a special task force established to enforce mining regulations.
“We used the coercive measure, and that is epitomised by the Mining Marshalls that we established. To date, we have arrested, apprehended, prosecuted and convicted illegal operators, including foreigners,” he said.
