FG to provide enabling environment, infrastructure to enhance mining activities

Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, stated this when he visited the Emir of Birnin Gwari,   Jibrin Maigwari II, in Birnin Gwari on Tuesday.l

According to Fayemi, the primary focus of President Muhammadu Buhari is to ensure reconstruction of road networks that could link all regions so as  to enhance business, industrial and mining activities.

He said that the ministry of mines and steel development  has put modalities in place to formalise artisenal  miners into cooperatives for the purpose of eliminating  illegal mining in the country.

Earlier, the emir urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Birnin Gwari road leading  to Kaduna.

He said the poor condition of the road had prolonged 50minutes drive from the local government to almost three hours, adding that as a matter of urgency government should consider its rehabilitation.

“The road is crucial to commercial and industrial activities from the north to the south and other regions.”

According to the monarch, government can partner with mining investors to boost exploration because mining is capital intensive.

” Most of the mining investors that came to the local government to mine gold ended up going back without getting gold; a company spent N160 million 10 years ago and did not achieve its target,” he said.

NAN reports that Birnin Gwari is a local government blessed with gold, and it is dubbed “goldfield”.