After more than five years of insecurity, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara, citing significant improvement in the security situation across the state.

At a press briefing at the weekend, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated that the nation has a lot to gain from re-awakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts.

He noted that the previous ban, which was good-intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum, exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources.

Alake emphasised that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue was enormous.

Recall that in 2019, the Federal Government imposed a total ban on mining activities in Zamfara due to escalating security concerns, particularly the links between banditry and illegal mining.

Since the beginning of the President Bola Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralisation of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity. A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.

“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” Alake stated.

The minister added that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.

This will enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources, he added.

Commending the media for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry this year, Alake noted that the press has been a key ally in efforts to sanitise the mining sector and promote market reforms to the admiration of indigenous and foreign investors.