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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has issued an indefinite suspension of mining operations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, and the surrounding areas pending the completion of investigations into suspected illegal mining.
Alake made this announcement after he had met with the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, and the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi, at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the minister stated that the ban was implemented in response to numerous complaints from students and residents about the impact of illegal mining activities on the local economy.
The ministry took immediate action to verify the allegations following reports in the media about the illicit activities of the illegal miners who were exploiting Nigeria's resources for their gain.
The minister called for investigations into the alarming reports of illegal mining activities within the OAU premises had surfaced, citing the unregulated operations' detrimental effects on the environment.
The statement explained, "In response to concerns raised about illegal mining or suspicious activities by mining operators within OAU, officials from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and Mines Inspectorate were promptly dispatched for an on-the-spot assessment.
"Preliminary reports confirmed that there were indeed activities taking place in the vicinity. Consequently, the ministry halted all mining operations, whether legal or illegal, for further investigation," the minister confirmed.
Alake revealed that upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal activities, they presented some licenses and letters of consent which necessitated further investigations to ascertain its authenticity, hence the imperative of inviting the university authorities for a parley.
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, In his submission, expressed gratitude to the minister for the audience, highlighting the capacity of the university to play an active role in exploration, research, and other sectors of the mining value chain.
“We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country.
We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university. If we can get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector, “he added.
The vice-chancellor also hinted at the university’s application for an exploration license, expressing optimism that with the anticipated approval, the University will be able to carry out exploration and cover the distribution and quality of mineral resources within the university environs and across the country.
