The Federal Government has started discussion with Australia on safer mining practice in the country’s minerals sector.
The discussion is aimed at getting the support of the Australian government in the area of environmental safety and safety of miners, as government focuses attention on the mining sector in its economic diversification and job creation plan.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, made this known during a meeting with the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary (African Branch), Matthew Neuhaus, in Abuja yesterday.
He stated that the ministry was working with the Ministry of Environment on the environmental safety. It believed that partnering with Australia, with its hugely successful mining sector, would help the Nigerian government’s quest for safer mining practice.
“The government takes the issue of environmental safety seriously, because the health and well being of the people are of paramount interest to us,” he said.
Fayemi noted that about 80 percent of mining activities in the country were being carried out by artisanal miners. Therefore, the ministry is tasked with the need to organise them, ensure their safety and the safety of the environment.
“Owing to Australia’s long experience in mining, we want to share your success story”, he added.
According to the minister, there is an urgent need to get the ministry’s laboratory- the National Geosciences Research Laboratories in Kaduna certificated.
He condemned the situation where mineral samples from the country had to be taken to laboratories outside the country for necessary tests and certification.
He said it was time the Kaduna laboratories got international certification so that it can live up to its billing as the foremost geoscience laboratory in the country.
