Mr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has promised to block all leakages that smugglers used to export minerals out of the country.

Fayemi made the promise while receiving both local and foreign miners in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, a large quantity of Gold is being taken out of the country without any record to show the volume and royalty paid through the relevant agencies in charge.

He said Blue Sapphires located in Manbila Plateau were being smuggled to Cameroon on a daily basis without any record to show.

On multiple monitoring of mining companies magazines by the security agencies, he promised to liaise with the National Security Adviser to avoid exploiting the operators.

He said stakeholders in the sector had enumerated different challenges, adding that the ministry would proffer solutions.

While decrying importation of marbles, tiles and ceramics available in Nigeria, he noted that Dangote also imported coals for its productions.

He urged operators to encourage communities where they mined to achieve peaceful operations; there should also be a joint venture between the federal, state and local governments on mining.

Mr Innocent Ezuma said the sector would play a crucial role in the country.

He urged the minister to set up Solid Minerals Development Bank with adequate funding to support professional mining operators.

Mr Boniface Owuike, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited, called on the minister to set up a joint task force to monitor explosive magazine.

Owuike said the company had been encountering different security agencies monitoring its explosive magazine.

“The explosive magazine is where we keep explosives for our foreign business.”

Other stakeholders in attendance urged the ministry to assist operators with intervention funds, to address dormant licences, stop illegal mining and block 1,400 routes where the minerals were moved to final destinations.

Some called on the ministry not to increase royalty as it would discourage miners; update the existing mineral map and set up a policy to protect local products and patronage. (NAN)

•Photo shows Dr Fayemi.

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