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From Magnus Eze, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is to compile nationwide inventory of miners, active mining sites, processing companies; personnel involved and machinery in order to create an all-encompassing data bank.
Participants at the maiden National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development, just held in Abuja said improved data collation and recording of minerals production could make the sector surpass the three per cent target contribution to the GDP be 2025.
A communiqué issued at the end of the programme urged the ministry to conclude the exercise before the next Council meeting because such data will be useful in advising potential investors; inform investment planning and decisions.
Participants also called for synergy among federal, state governments and local government areas through the instrumentality of the Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), as provided for by Section 19 of Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
They said the committee should be strengthened where it already existed and reactivated in states where it was dormant.
The communiqué also recommended that states be encouraged to concentrate on value addition projects, such as beneficiation, smelting and mineral processing to enable them generate more revenue.
Participants further decided to establish a forum of Commissioners responsible for mineral resources development for constant feedback engagement with the Federal Government.
