FEC approves N2.5bn satellite gadgets to combat illegal mining
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of a ¦ 2.5 billion satellite surveillance system to tackle illegal mining activities across the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, while briefing State House correspondents on the government’s latest initiative to curb unlicensed, unregulated, and underreported mining operations.
According to Alake, the newly approved integrated technology framework will provide real-time monitoring of mining sites nationwide, helping to prevent revenue leakages, illegal extraction, and unregulated exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
“We are procuring satellite equipment and gadgets that will be installed in strategic locations across the country. These will allow us to visually monitor mining operations in real-time,” he explained.
The minister further detailed how the technology would be deployed:
“There will be a central monitoring hub at the Mines Marshal Centre, as well as an operations screen in my office. At the click of a button, we will be able to observe any mining site, assess the volume of minerals being extracted, monitor the number of trucks transporting resources, and evaluate the security situation in the area.”
Alake also highlighted that the satellite technology is part of a broader two-pronged strategy implemented by the ministry to combat illegal mining, which combines persuasive and coercive measures.
Under the persuasive approach, the government has been encouraging artisanal miners to form cooperatives, making their operations legal, structured, and financially viable.
“When they form cooperatives, they become formalised and bankable. This allows them to access financial institutions for loans to expand their businesses, while also ensuring they fulfil their financial obligations to the Nigerian state,” Alake stated.
So far, he revealed that over 300 cooperative societies have been successfully established under this initiative.
For those who refuse to comply, the government has adopted a coercive approach, enforced by the Mining Marshals—a task force dedicated to clamping down on illegal operators.
“We have taken strict enforcement measures, including the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of illegal operators, some of whom are foreign nationals,” Alake added.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector and ensuring that Nigeria maximises its mineral wealth through legal and transparent operations.
