The Enugu State government has announced significant progress in the development of its solid minerals sector as part of efforts to unlock the state’s natural resources and boost economic growth.
The Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Solid Minerals and Mining, Samuel Okoro, made this known on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Enugu State Government House.
Okoro explained that the state government has carried out extensive geological exploration across different parts of the state. The exploration included geospatial mapping and geochemical investigations aimed at identifying the quantity and quality of mineral deposits available in various locations.
According to him, the exercise is part of the administration’s broader plan to revive the state’s dormant natural resources and turn them into productive assets that can drive economic development.
“Exploration is the first stage of any mining activity. We conducted mapping, geospatial studies, and geochemical investigations to know exactly what mineral resources exist in the state,” Okoro said. He added that when members of the Nigerian Senate Committee visited Enugu and were briefed about the work done, they expressed satisfaction and even suggested that other states could adopt the same approach.
Okoro noted that Enugu, which is widely known as Coal City, still has large coal deposits capable of supporting major industrial and energy projects.
He said new geological findings indicate that the state’s coal reserves may be much larger than the earlier estimated 300 million tonnes.
The adviser added that this discovery supports the state government’s plan to generate about 1,000 megawatts of electricity from coal. The project is part of a long-term strategy to address power shortages and support industrial growth in the state.
According to him, Governor Mbah has already made a clear policy commitment that the state will produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity from its coal resources, adding that the plan is already being developed.
Okoro also revealed that the government has started cleaning up the mining sector in the state. He explained that more than 100 mineral licenses were identified during the review process, but less than one percent of them were actually being used for active mining.
He said many of the licenses were held by speculators who had no intention of developing the mines. As a result, the government decided to retrieve some of the unused licenses and make them available to genuine investors who are willing to develop the sector.
In addition, the state government has shut down more than 40 illegal mining operations in different locations, including Camp 2, Akwukwe, Udenu, and parts of Ozalla.
He added that some individuals involved in illegal mining have been arrested and prosecuted as part of efforts to restore order and ensure proper regulation in the sector.
Okoro expressed confidence that with the exploration work already completed and reforms currently being implemented, the solid minerals sector will soon become a major source of economic growth and revenue for Enugu State.