I Have Been Receiving Threats For Revoking Mining Licences, Says Alake

THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has disclosed that he has been receiving threats over the recent revocation of 1,263 mineral licences for non-payment of yearly fees.
Alake, speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, October 10, ahead of the 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed, Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance, said some operators whose licences were revoked had been threatening international arbitration against him over the action and sponsoring media attacks against reforms in the sector.
However, the minister stressed that he was not deterred, saying sanitising the sector was necessary and would naturally attract resistance from some quarters.
He said the step was taken to ensure Nigeria obtained commensurate revenue from the sector for national development, adding that some people have had licenses since former President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, but have not used them.
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, he stated, has increased its contribution to the country’s GDP from less than 0.5 per cent 10 years ago to about 4.65 per cent, with higher growth projected in the coming years.
Alake noted that the progress reflected a growing mining sector and rising investment in national development, adding: “In practical terms, this means more mines in operation, more companies investing and more communities being impacted by mining activity.
“The ideas of strong data, more investment and greater beneficiation that seemed far off are now realities shaping the sector.”
He said the theme of the mining week aligned with Nigeria’s goal to boost revenue by adding value to minerals and tapping opportunities in the energy transition, as it chronicles the sector’s transformation from a largely informal industry into one increasingly driven by structure, innovation and private investment.
He said Nigeria was being positioned to compete globally and be recognised as a choice mining investment destination, leveraging its vast mineral endowment, improving regulatory environment and commitment to sustainable development.
He added that the participation of several international mining delegations from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East in the event was a reflection of the growing global interest in Nigeria’s mineral potential.
“Together, through collaborative efforts, innovation and steadfast commitment, we will reposition Nigeria as a major force in the global mining landscape,” he said.
On his part, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayankale, said the Week marks a decade of impact, innovation and collaboration in the solid minerals sector.
Ayankale noted that the platform remains a catalyst for dialogue, reform and innovation, bridging the gap between policy and practice, operators and investors and ideas and implementation.
Nigeria, he stated, has witnessed significant strides in exploration, artisanal mining formalisation, investment inflows and the adoption of modern technologies to drive sustainability.
“Minerals, such as gold, limestone, barite, lithium and bitumen have gained renewed attention, and through enhanced collaboration, we are seeing tangible contributions to job creation, community development and economic diversification,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Nigeria Mining Week, holding from October 13 to 15, is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the VUKA Group.