Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has given 30-day ultimatum to illegal miners to join artisanal cooperatives.
Speaking during the unveiling of the agenda for the transformation of the solid minerals for international competitiveness and domestic prosperity in Abuja today, Alake vowed that the full weight of the law would be brought against defaulters.
The Minister also said the ministry is introducing a security tax force and mines police that will help the country combat illegal mining and smuggling, adding that there would be a comprehensive review of all mining licenses and the creation of six mineral processing centres to focus on value-added products.
Alake said the ministry will focus on a seven-point agenda including the creation of the nigerian solid minerals corporation, joint ventures with mining multinationals, big data on specific seven priority minerals and their deposits.
