More than 40 unapproved mining sites have been closed since Peter Mbah’s administration took office, according to the Enugu State Government, which claims to have reduced illicit coal mining operations throughout the state.
Engineer Samuel Okoro, the Governor’s Special Advisor on Solid Minerals and Mining, revealed this to reporters in Enugu.
Okoro claims that the government has taken action to control mining activities in the state, such as reorganizing the sand excavation and other mining operations system into a centralized payroll and monitoring structure.
He clarified that recent geological research suggests the state’s coal reserves may be greater than previous projections of roughly 300 million tonnes, pointing out that the results could bolster the government’s plan to use coal to produce roughly 1,000 megawatts of electricity as part of initiatives to address issues with energy supply.
According to Okoro’s advertisements, the state has conducted considerable geological exploration, including geochemical studies and geospatial mapping, to ascertain the number and quality of mineral deposits throughout the state. The move, he continued, is in line with Governor Mbah’s plan to unleash the state’s mining potential and revitalize dormant economic assets.
He added that only a small portion of the more than 100 mineral rights that the government received were being actively developed. He claims that in situations when licenses were not being used for profitable mining operations, the state has worked with the appropriate authorities.
Okoro expressed hope that the solid minerals industry would contribute more to the state’s economic growth with continued reforms and exploration initiatives.
