The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and School of International and Public Affairs of the Columbia University, United States of America, are to partner on ways to enhance government’s effort geared towards formalizing and funding of Artisan and Small Scale mining in Nigeria. This was the high point of discussion between the officials of the Ministry and a team of scholars of the Columbia University led by Christine Capilouto, who were on a courtesy visit to the Minister of State, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari on 21st March, 2019 in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, informed the team of efforts being made to reposition the Mining Sector, noting that Nigeria is endowed with different solid mineral resources virtually found in every state of the federation.
However, he said the sector for long has been dominated by artisanal miners, who lack prerequisite technical skills and finance to contribute meaningfully to the economy but that government has taken steps to tackle this and other identified challenges, including lack of comprehensive data, insufficient funding and insecurity.
The Minister said that collaboration with the university was a welcome development, saying that the support will boost efforts towards transforming the Artisanal and Small- Scale mining industry.
The team lead by Christine Capilouto, while appreciating the officials of the Ministry for the reception accorded them, said that the choice of Nigeria for such partnership was as a result of the giant strides made by government in revamping the mining sector.
She said that apart from helping in generating data in the sector, the University is willing to provide capacity building services.
Eweama A. S. Uzoma
PIO
For: Director (Press)
