FG canvasses for sustainable, responsible mining

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that mining activities are sustainable, responsible, and aligned with both national and global environmental goals.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, disclosed that in achieving this fundamental objective, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development vowed to collaborate actively with mining operators in the country to enhance critical environmental practices.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, revealed this during a sensitisation/workshop programme for mineral title holders, mining host communities, and relevant stakeholders at Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Represented by the Director Mines Environmental Compliance Department of the Ministry, Dr Vivian Okono, the Permanent Secretary seized the opportunity to educate stakeholders on environmental obligations, stressing that it is not just a regulatory requirement but strict adherence to best environmental practices.

Dr. Ogbe emphatically stated: ”Understanding and fulfilling our environmental obligations is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental aspect of responsible mining. Our duty extends beyond mere compliance; it encompasses a commitment to proactive environmental stewardship. We will delve into the specific obligations that mining companies must adhere to and explore best practices for meeting these requirements effectively.”

Elaborating further, the Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry organised the sensitisation programme to broaden the horizons of participants around four interlinked topics of immense importance to the mining industry. These, according to her, include climate change, the environmental obligations of mining companies, community and social issues, and the effective operationalisation of the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund (EPRF).

”Each of these elements plays a critical role in ensuring that our mining practices are sustainable, responsible, and aligned with both national and global environmental goals”, the Permanent Secretary added.

In his remarks, Mr. Hudu Tafida, Chairman State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), enjoined mining operators (mineral title holders) and host communities to seek dialogue as the best solution to resolving conflicts. This, according to him, is one of the crucial roles of the MIREMCO at the state level—promoting harmonious working relationships between the mining companies and host communities.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter, Mr Yusuf Randaf, posited that the sensitisation programme will be beneficial to both mining companies and host communities in its quest to ensure the development and exploitation of mineral resources in a sustainable and orderly manner.

The highpoint of the sensitisation programme focused on specific obligations and best industry practices captured vividly during presentations by desk officers in the Mines Environmental Compliance Department of the Ministry; these include environmental obligations of mineral title holders, community development agreements in the mining sector, environmental protection and rehabilitation funds, legal perspectives of community development agreements, mining activities, and climate change.

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