The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has cautioned state governments about shutting down mining operations, emphasizing that they do not possess the constitutional power to undertake such actions.
The ministers made the remarks in reaction to the recent statements made by state governors in Gombe and Kogi, as well as the closure of Segilola Mining Company by the Osun State Government due to issues related to taxation and operational concerns.
Alake emphasized that mining activities are solely under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and that no state has the power to intervene in any mining operations.
According to him, the indiscriminate closures of mining operations by subnational raise the risk of discouraging foreign direct investments and possibly divestment by existing companies.
