The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved ₦2.5 billion satellite gadget to fight against illegal

mining activities in the country. This move confronts the significant losses Nigeria has faced due to

unregulated and illegal mining, estimated to be in trillions of naira.

The 2.5 billion satellite gadget approved by the federal government will be used to effect a surveillance

satellite to control mining activities in the country. This move will enable the government to track

mining output, monitor truck movements, and also to evaluate safety and security in the mining sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, said while briefing State House

Correspondents, after the FEC meeting, that the technology was an integrated solution framework to

combat unlicensed, unregulated, underreported mining activities, He was also of the opinion that the

federal and states government needs to cooperate to tackle illegal mining. He stated that while mineral

resources fall under federal jurisdiction, states often exert significant influence over mining activities,

which can lead to conflicts.

The minister said the technology rollout would control the activities that had led to revenue leakages,

illegal operations, and illegal extraction and exploitation of the country’s minerals.

“We are procuring satellite equipment, satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over

the country that would enable us to have a visual effect, real-time of the operations that are ongoing in

sites all over the country.

“There will be a centre like a screen in the operation centre, the mines martial centre, and in my office as

well.

“At a glance, at the click of a button, you can surf any mine site and see the operations there; the volume

of the mineral extracted, the number of trucks going out, and, of course, the security situation in the

environment,” said the Minister.

To tackle illegal mining, the authorities are using dual strategy: encouraging informal and artisanal to

form cooperative and deploying the marshal to enforce compliance.