FG suspends mining activities in OAU, environs

The Federal Government has suspended mining activities within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus and the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, Osun State, indefinitely.

This is pending investigations into suspected illegal mining activities in the area.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, announced the suspension shortly after meeting with the OAU management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, in Abuja on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had called for investigations into reports of illegal mining activities at OAU.

The President of NANS Senate, Segun Elvis, said the activities posed a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the institution`s students and staff.

The National Association of University Students, OAU chapter, also condemned the development and called for appropriate actions by relevant authorities to address the situation.

In response to the situation, the OAU management submitted a formal complaint to the relevant government authorities for prompt action.

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Alake, however, noted that following the reports, officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Mines Inspectorate were deployed to the institution for an on-site assessment and preliminary investigations.

“Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry now orders stoppage of all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigation,” the minister said.

Alake stated that he invited the OAU authorities to his office when the illegal operators, who had been summoned by the deployed officials, presented some licenses and letters of consent regarding their activities.

He said the immediate suspension of the activities was necessary to enable the ministry verify the authenticity of the documents.

Speaking, the VC stated that OAU has some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country, who were capable of handling exploration, research, and other activities of the mining value chain.

Bamire said: “We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.

“If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector.”

The Star