The ministry of mines and steel development has advised registered miners to continue with their mining operations, while adhering to safe mining protocols.
Etore Thomas, director, press and public relations of the ministry, gave the advisory in a statement on Saturday.
The federal government had said it was considering a nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, as well as mining activities in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country.
However, in the statement, the ministry said legitimate miners should put adequate security in their various mining sites while conducting their operations, noting that the ban targets only illegal miners.
The new directive comes shortly after experts asked the government to reconsider its decision, stating that the ban would be detrimental to local and foreign investors.
“It’s necessary to clarify that the measures being considered by the security council are targeted to cut off sources of funding and logistics, which terrorists have leveraged on to execute their nefarious activities,” the statement reads.
“Although, [the] government is yet to take a decision on the ban of mining across the country.
