PTDF, UNIJOS Push for Modern Mining Practices to Tackle Insecurity, Boost Sector
PTDF, UNIJOS Push for Modern Mining Practices to Tackle Insecurity, Boost Sector
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s mining sector to adopt modern, sustainable mining practices as a means of curbing insecurity and driving sectoral growth.
This call was made on Thursday at a two-day capacity-building workshop for miners in Plateau State, themed “Enhancing Safety, Sustainability, and Community Development in Mining.”
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Ahmed Galadima, said insecurity in mining communities could be significantly reduced if operators adhered strictly to international standards and best practices.
“While security is a broader national issue, PTDF’s role is to ensure miners are adequately trained on safety standards and best practices. Once these standards are followed, many of the insecurity challenges we face in mining areas will naturally reduce,” Galadima said.
He explained that unregulated and artisanal mining activities have not only fueled insecurity in mineral-rich regions but also deprived host communities and the government of vital economic benefits.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, stressed the importance of equipping miners with modern knowledge and technology, noting that research and innovation must play a central role in transforming Nigeria’s mining industry.
“The time has come for us to move beyond rudimentary practices that endanger lives and threaten the environment. Through training, research, and collaboration, we can make mining safer, more sustainable, and beneficial to both investors and host communities,” he said.
The workshop brought together artisanal miners, security experts, community leaders, and industry regulators, with discussions centered on safety, environmental sustainability, and building trust between mining companies and host communities.
Observers say the initiative is timely, given the rising cases of violence, illegal mining, and clashes in mineral-rich states like Plateau, Zamfara, and Nasarawa.
