FG suspends mining activities within OAU, its environ

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has announced the indefinite suspension of mining activities within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife, Osun State, and its environs, pending the conclusion of investigations

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, disclosed this in his office on Tuesday after a meeting with OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire and the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi

According to Alake, following reports in certain sections of the media about the activities of illegal miners in the precincts of the university, the ministry immediately swung into action to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

“Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment. preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry then stopped all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigations, “the Minister asserted.

Speaking further, Alake revealed that upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal activities, they presented some licences and letters of consent, which necessitated further investigations to ascertain their authenticity, hence the imperative of inviting the university authorities for a parley.

“We have had a very fruitful meeting, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome of the meeting, I announce the indefinite suspension, with immediate effect, of all mining activities within the premises of the University, the University teaching hospital and, in fact, around the area and boundaries of the university, until the conclusion of thorough investigations”, the Minister added.

In his submission, Prof Bamire expressed gratitude to the Minister for the audience, highlighting the capacity of the university to play an active role in exploration, research, and other sectors of the mining value chain.

“We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country. We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university. If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector, “he added.

The vice chancellor also hinted about the university’s application for an exploration licence, expressing optimism that with the anticipated approval, the university will be able to carry out exploration and discover the distribution and quality of mineral resources within the university’s environs and across the country.

On the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were Registrar Kamarudeen Bakare; Head of Department of Geology & Geophysics, Prof. Olatokunbo Alao; Director, Physical Planning, Dr Anthony Owolabi; and Director, Maintenance Services, Engr. Olawuyi Isaac, while the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of OAU Teaching Hospital, Prof. John Okeniyi, joined the meeting virtually.

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