The Federal Government has partnered with the North Central Development Commission to boost mining development, expand mineral processing, and create jobs across the North Central region.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the initiative aims to formalise artisanal mining by organising over 300 small-scale miners into cooperatives and integrating them into the legal mining sector. He also noted that more than 300 illegal miners have been arrested, with about 150, including foreigners, currently facing prosecution.

Alake said the government is promoting value addition in the solid minerals sector through local processing projects, which he said have already begun contributing significantly to economic growth and industrial expansion. He explained that the policy is designed to reduce raw material exportation while increasing domestic beneficiation, job creation, and economic diversification.

The minister added that the North Central region is benefiting from new mineral processing investments, as the sector now contributes over $2 billion to the economy under the current administration’s reforms.

He also stressed the need for closer collaboration between development agencies and the ministry to ensure effective implementation of mining reforms and sustainable regional development.

The Managing Director of the commission, Cyril Tsenyil, said the partnership will help align resources and drive coordinated development projects. He proposed the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to accelerate growth in the mining sector across the region.

Both institutions agreed to establish a technical working committee to guide implementation and ensure the success of the initiative aimed at unlocking the region’s mineral wealth and boosting employment.