The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel development, department of Artisanal and Small scale miners, in collaboration with Cali Park Nigeria Limited, has organized training for mining operators on Artisanal and Small scale mining techniques.

The workshop held in Awka, was meant for all registered and performing mining cooperatives, quarrying associations, Small scale mining companies in the South East geopolitical zone.

The five day training is to bridge the knowledge gap on mineral processing techniques, training on safety and good health, environmental compliance restoration and reclamation and introduction to geology exploration techniques as it affects Artisanal and Small scale miners.

In an address by both the Minister of mines and Steel development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, Director Artisanal and Small scale mining ministry of mines and Steel development Abuja, Mr Patrick Ojeka, represented by Mr. Anene Nnamdi department of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners, said the Ministry recognizes the importance of mining as livelihood strategy and therefore embarked on formalization of the sector to address the artisanal mining issues and to bring the numerous artisanal and Small scale miners scattered in almost all the States of the federation into one legally identifiable entities, to be monitored, supervised, regulated, administered to checkmate the uncontrolled and chaotic activities of mining.

In a paper presentation on Roles of the mining cadastre office in the formalization mining titles, the Head, Nigeria mining Cadastre office South East Zone, Mrs Anita Nweke, told participants that the workings of the mining cadastre office and its importance to their work, opening their eyes on the technics of mining operations, registration and ways to obtain licence and mineral titles.

In another paper presentation on Artisanal and Small scale mining inspectorate office, the Federal Mines Officer, Ministry of mines and Steel development Anambra State Mr. Olaka Egbichi, said the mines inspectorate department has the mandate to supervise all mining activities to ensure total compliance with the ACT establishing mining and generally ensure proper surveillance of the mining sector.

Later Mr. Charles Uka a representative of Cali park Nigeria Limited in his presentation told participants the various methods employed by operators, their features and consequences and therefore equipped participants with knowledge and skills on how to carry out mine development.

In their reactions the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining officer for Anambra and Enugu States Mr. Emmanuel Obialor, Mr. Peter Mmakaogu, Artisanal and Small Scale Mining officer for IMO and Abia State, Artisanal and Small Scale Mining officer Ebonyi State Mr Okezie Nzewigbo, and Anambra and Abia State chairmen of miners association of Nigeria, Elder Victor Ndubuisi and Chief Henry Igboeli, among others expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of mines and Steel development for organizing the training and pledged to carry out their mining operations legitimately.

Question and answers from the participants formed the highpoint of the training.

No related posts.