FG offers 4,000 abandoned Plateau mine pits to investors for power, tourism

The Federal Government of Nigeria has identified over 4,000 abandoned mine pits in Plateau State as potential sites for new investments in energy, tourism, and fishery. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced this following the collapse of an abandoned tin mine pit in Kassa, which killed seven people. Alake warned illegal miners against entering abandoned pits without licenses, stressing that the tragedy could have been avoided if the miners had obtained the necessary permits.

Licensed artisanal miners would receive training and a more sustainable source of income from the ministry's Artisanal Mining Department. The government is seeking private investors to partner with it in transforming these abandoned pits into productive economic assets. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has already rehabilitated 59 abandoned mine pits, and is deploying technology, including Geographic Information System satellite mapping and Artificial Intelligence, to locate and assess the thousands of legacy pits.

Plateau State has been selected as the pilot beneficiary of this initiative. The government is also taking steps to prevent mining companies from leaving environmental hazards behind after operations, and has activated the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund.