Gabriel EWEPU

ABUJA- THERE are indications that Federal Government may be on the way to banning testing of solid minerals abroad by operators in the sector.

Solid minerals

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, gave this indication during the visit of Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary (African Branch), Matthew Neuhaus, in his office.

“We cannot continue the way things are where operators carry out their mineral samples for testing and certification at laboratories abroad and we cannot allow this to continue.

“It is time for the National Geosciences Research Laboratories, Kaduna to have international certification so that it can live up to its billing as the foremost geosciences laboratory in the country. We also need assistance from the Australian government in this area as well.”

Fayemi said the sector needs a collaboration with the Australian government to make the environment safe for miners and host communities, as well as improve and develop the Nigerian mining sector.

He also explained the importance on maintaining a conducive environment for operators and host communities in the sector.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Solid Minerals was working with the Ministry of Environment on environmental safety, and urged Australia as a successful mining economy to partner with the government on best mining environmental practices.

He said: “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.

“Owing to Australia’s long experience in mining, we want to share your success story. We have seen the need for the ministry’s geosciences laboratory, the National Geosciences Research Laboratories, Kaduna to be internationally certificated.

Responding the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary, Neuhaus said his team would work with the Ministry Solid Minerals Development to work out arrangement aimed at realising the two requests presented by the Minister to his country.

Neuhaus restated the commitment of the Australian government towards ensuring that Nigeria takes its position as a mining destination, even as he lauded the commitment of the present administration to diversify the economy.

The Minister has been on various talks with mining giants in the world to reposition and jump-start activities in the sector and had also approached banking executives to believe in the sector by giving financial access to operators and supporting the effort of government by financially strengthening the operators in the sector with bid of diversifying the economy.