Nigeria Satellite Surveillance for Mining
Combating Illegal Mining in Nigeria
N2.5 Billion Investment in Mining Security
The Nigerian government has approved a budget of N2.5 billion for the procurement of satellite surveillance equipment aimed at curbing illegal and unregulated mining activities nationwide. This initiative seeks to address the significant revenue losses attributed to unauthorized mining operations.The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, highlighted that the deployment of this technology would enable real-time monitoring of mining sites, thereby reducing illegal operations and underreporting of mineral production. He noted that illegal mining has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue for the country.
In addition to technological measures, the government has intensified enforcement efforts, leading to the arrest of 320 illegal miners in recent months. Among these, approximately 150 individuals are currently facing prosecution, with nine convictions secured, including four foreign nationals involved in illicit mining activities.
This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral resources and ensuring that mining activities contribute positively to the nation’s economy.
