The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said he would clamp down on illegal miners to boost the country’s revenue generation.
According to NAN, Alake disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during an event for prospective jewellery traders.
According to him, the Federal Government was committed to developing its jewellery-making industry to boost local capacity.
Consequently, the government would set up a control mechanism to tackle the menace of illegal mining in Nigeria.
“The menace of illegal mining that has eroded and deprived the country of substantial revenue will be nipped in the bud under the political will and firmness of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“It will no longer be business as usual, no matter the identity of whoever is involved in this economic crime, as the ministry will work with other relevant agencies to tackle the menace”, he stated.
On August 21, Alake resumed office as minister in charge of the country’s estimated $700 billion mining industry.
