The Federal Government has identified more than 4,000 abandoned mine pits across Plateau State as potential sites for new investments in energy, tourism and fishery, following decades of mining activities.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the government was seeking private investors willing to partner with it to transform the abandoned pits from dangerous sites into productive economic assets.
Alake made this known while reacting to the collapse of an abandoned tin mine pit at Kassa in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, which killed seven persons.
The minister warned illegal miners against risking their lives by entering abandoned pits without licences, saying the tragedy could have been avoided if the miners had formed a cooperative and obtained the necessary permit.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Lara Owoeye-Wise, on Sunday quoted Alake as saying licensed artisanal miners would also have access to training provided by the ministry’s Artisanal Mining Department and a more sustainable source of income.
The minister commiserated with the Plateau State Government and the families of the victims, urging artisanal miners across the country to learn from the tragedy.
