Bauchi explores mineral resources

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Minister of Mines and Steel sets up committee to fast-track process

The Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Sada, has inaugurated the Bauchi State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

Sada said that the establishment of the committee was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to place the mining sector in a proper perspective in the state and fast-track the orderly and sustainable development of the nation’s mineral resources, in line with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007.

At the inauguration, he urged the members of the 8-man committee to see the constitution of the committee as a practical demonstration of the Federal Government resolve to partner with host mining communities.

Pointing out that mining and mineral resources was on the Exclusive Legislative List of the constitution, he explained that the involvement of states was a clear testimony to the Federal Government’s interdependence with the other tiers of government.

He charged the committee to adhere to their terms of reference in order to enable the three tiers of government, as well as individual miners and companies using the raw materials, to benefit.

Earlier, the State Deputy Governor, Sangir Saleh, listed some of the minerals found in the state as galena, limestone, tin, kaolin, coal, ceramic clay, gemstones iron ore and granite.

According to him, recent oil exploration by Shell and Chevron in the state also revealed that crude oil and gas were available in the state in commercial quantities.

However, expressing worry that in spite of an abundance of mineral resources, the state lacked funds, machinery and equipment to exploit them, Saleh urged the minister to assist in streamlining the activities of the state’s Ministry for Solid minerals to avoid duplication of efforts by the Federal Ministry for Mines.

Source: Dailtimes.com

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