For the first time in the history of the federal Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, a serving Minister, on Saturday inspected just one of the gold mining sites filled with artisan miners.
The minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi inspected the gold mining site at Garin Awal at Fakai Local Government Area in Kebbi State.
While assessing the crude mining methodology applied by the miners, the Minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi announced that the Federal Government has set aside N5 billion to empower artisan miners across the country as part of measures to deepen economic diversification using the solid mineral sector.
He explained that “We have N5 Billion in Bank of Industry for the use of small scale artisan miners, not only for self-equipping but to contribute to the economic development of Kebbi state and Nigeria, so that our economy will grow”.
According to him, ISS-Hass Ltd, a Chinese mining company, has been in the community exploiting gold for more than three years, but had failed to develop the area by establishing schools, building roads, as well as providing portable water and employment for the youth, as part of an agreement entered into with the company.
The Minister however, promised to investigate the allegations against the licensed operator in Garin Awal Village, Fakai Local Government of Kebbi State for alleged breach of agreement reached with the host community in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
He said “We have seen what our artisan miners can do, which professionals in this business failed to achieve. That is from the very little efforts they are putting in place with their own efforts, digging and organising themselves.
“What we need is to enter into partnership with the state, to assist these miners, so that they could have land to operate, technical support as a way of improving their productivity and ensuring that they utilise the equipment beyond exploring mercury and finally support them through the Bank of Industry,” he said.
