The training is made to expose artisanal and small-scale miner to information that will help them maximize opportunities provided in the industry and to educate them on negative environmental impacts and other vices that could also lead to social conflict within the area of their operations.
Speaking in his keynote address, the Director Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Department, Mr Patrick Ojeka, represented by Etido Umoakpan, said
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining is a livelihood strategy that can contribute to the social economic development in the rural areas,when properly organized.
“Presently, Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) operations are carried out in
36 states of the federation and FCT with over 500,000 people directly involved
and the number is increasing by the year.
It is in recognition of the importance of mining cooperatives, that the
ministry adopted a strategy termed formalization, through “cooperatization” to
adress theartisanal mining issue, while using it as an instrument to alleviate
Poverty. This process involves bringing the numerous artisanal and small scale
miners scattered in almost all the state of the federation into legally identifiable groups.”
“By this way, the activities of operators are better
evaluated, monitored, supervised, regulated and administered by the government.Section 91, of the mineral and mining Act 2007, provides for extension services for registered and performing mining cooperatives, Quarrying Associations and
Small-scale Mining companies. Government is to give the following
service programme to these classes of miners;
Prospecting and exploration services should be provided to determine the
geological setting, structure, and nature of occurrences, quantity and
quality of minerals being mined.
“Provide mineral testing standard and determination of mineral grade,Provide proven mineral reserves evaluation including feasibility reports.
Assist small scale miners on mine design and p Io suitable for the deposit, among others.” He said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, The Zonal Chief Technical Officer, Adegbulu Onimisi said ,the workshop is timely, and that government has a lot of incentives to the registered miners, explaining that the training is one of those incentives. He urged participants to take advantage the training provides to improve on their business.
