The Federal Government yesterday said plans were underway for the reclamation of 1,260 abandoned mining sites nationwide.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, dropped the hint at a media briefing in Abuja to herald the 2019 Mining Week holding next Monday.

He said of the figure, government had carried carry out a reclamation work on 25 sites, adding that they have been making yearly budgetary provisions for them.

On the N2.5 billion loans for miners, Adegbite explained that the money was intact, adding that government was designing programmes for the affected artisans.

He urged them to form cooperative societies for the facility disbursement.