The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced a new era of responsible mining in Nigeria, mandating the Mining and Quarrying companies to conclude the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with host communities on or before December 31st, 2025.
In a statement signed on Thursday, by the Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, anipr, FSCA, Dr. Alake emphasized that companies must prioritize engaging with host communities as part of the mining process to ensure that their needs are addressed before any mining activities commence.
“We will not allow a situation in which companies rush to mine without first sitting down with the host communities, to agree to execute projects and programs that will address their needs” Alake stated.
According to him, this stance marks a decisive shift toward inclusivity, as the government seeks to foster trust between mining companies and local populations.
The Minister indicated that the administration has already begun enforcing accountability measures, stressing that companies failing to pay annual service fees will face severe consequences, including the revocation of their mining licenses.
“Refusal to protect the Nigerian people by agreeing with them on what the communities will gain from the mineral exploitation of their land is criminal expropriation, and an unpardonable injustice” he asserted.
Dr. Alake warned that companies found guilty after the enforcement deadline of December 31,would be dealt with rigorously, and would face both license revocation and potential reparations for resources extracted without consent.
In a call to action for community leaders, Alake urged local populations to form skilled teams comprising retired professionals to represent their interests during negotiations with mining companies.
He emphasized that these teams should focus on securing legacy projects that will benefit youth, women, and the broader community.
The Minister further cautioned community leaders and traditional rulers against undermining negotiation processes by soliciting personal gifts from companies or recommending poorly qualified contractors.
He noted that communities deserve much more than personal gain, stressing the importance of integrity in securing beneficial agreements.
The commended Dr. Vivian Okono, director of the Mines Environmental Compliance department, for the recent shutdown of three companies— Istanbul, Venus, and Cornerstone—due to their reluctance to finalize Community Development Agreement negotiations with their host communities.
“This should serve as a good signal to others that it is no longer business as usual,” Alake declared, reinforcing his government’s commitment to placing community interests at the forefront of Nigeria’s mining sector.
Spark News Naija reports that the Minister’s remarks reflect a robust strategy aimed at transforming Nigeria’s mining landscape into one that promotes sustainability, community welfare, and corporate accountability.