For safety sake, UNIDO partners FG to develop action plan on mining with mercury
Considering the importance of mining with mercury and its resultant abuse in the nation’s mining industry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, has concluded arrangement to help Nigeria develop a National Action on Mercury Use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
This was made public by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the inauguration of Development Partners and Donor Agencies Coordination Group on Mining in Abuja.
He said the target is to grow the sector with minimal damages to host communities.
Business Hilights recalls that some months back, there were reports of mercury poisoning in some host communities rivers and stream which resulted in deaths of local.
The minister added that “we want to attain the goal in line with government’s vision to develop a well –diversified economy and reduce the over-reliance on oil through agriculture and mining”.
“The Roadmap has provided a strategic framework for Nigeria to build an inclusive and sustainable mining industry designed to serve a targeted domestic and export market for iron ore and minerals.”
According to him, government is developing a Mineral Management Information System for automating processes and procedures and linking MDAs, adding, “we are in final stages and we would flag it off soon.”
“Once the Decision Support System is fully operational it would allow the key ministries, in conjunction with other stakeholders, to undertake regionally based resource corridor analysis,” Fayemi said.
