The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has disclosed that the federal government is determined to transform abandoned mine pits from ‘potential pits of death’ into centres of economic prosperity.
The minister stated this while warning illegal miners against risking their lives in abandoned mine pits, following the death of seven persons in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Alake disclosed further that more than 4000 legacy mine pits were created by Amalgamated Tin Mines Limited and the Nigerian Tin and Allied Products Limited.
He stated that the federal government was willing to partner with investors to convert the abandoned sites into viable energy, tourism and fishery projects.
The minister also revealed that the ministry has so far rehabilitated 59 abandoned mine pits, adding that a new initiative is being deployed to tackle the thousands of legacy pits across Plateau State.
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