Nigerian FEC Approves N2.5bn Satellite Technology to Curb Illegal Mining Amid Public Skepticism

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of a satellite gadget worth N2.5 billion to combat illegal mining activities in Nigeria.

The approval, granted during the FEC’s third meeting of the year on Monday, is part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to address unlicensed, unregulated, and underreported mining operations contributing to significant revenue leakages.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced the procurement, explaining that the technology is an “integrated solution framework” designed to monitor mining activities in real time. The satellite gadgets will enable the ministry to detect illegal mining operations, track the volume of minerals extracted, monitor the number of trucks leaving the sites, and assess the security situation at mining locations across the country.

How the Satellite Technology Works

The approved technology involves the installation of satellite gadgets in strategic locations nationwide, all connected to a central monitoring system called the Mines Martial Centre. This system will provide real-time visual data on mining activities, offering a “click-of-a-button” view of any mining site in the country.

The monitoring hub will be set up within the ministry, with live feeds accessible from the minister’s office. Alake described the technology as a critical tool in tackling illegal operations that have led to substantial revenue losses and environmental degradation.

“There will be a center like a screen in the operation center, the mines martial center, and in my office as well,” he explained. “At a glance, you can surf any mine site and see the operations there.”

Two-Pronged Approach: Persuasion and Coercion

The satellite technology is part of a two-pronged approach introduced by the ministry to address illegal mining.

1. Persuasive Strategy: The ministry has encouraged artisanal miners to form cooperatives, offering them a path to formalize their operations. These cooperatives help miners become “structured, formalized, and legalized,” which in turn makes their businesses bankable. They can then access loans and support from financial institutions while fulfilling their obligations to the Nigerian state. The ministry has so far facilitated the formation of over 300 cooperative societies among artisanal miners.
2. Coercive Strategy: For miners who resist formalization, the ministry has established Mining Marshals, a specialized unit responsible for apprehending, prosecuting, and convicting illegal operators. According to Alake, this approach has been effective, with several foreigners involved in illegal mining already facing the law.

Public Allege Embezzlement and Corruption

While the government touts this initiative as a game-changer, many Nigerians are calling its bluff, suggesting that the N2.5 billion project is just another avenue for embezzlement. Social media platforms have been flooded with skepticism, with many accusing the government of using technology as a smokescreen to siphon public funds.

“Politics is really a lucrative job in Nigeria,” said Monell Tohrock, a social media user. “See money that these people want to cash out, illegal mining that they know who is doing it among themselves.”

This sentiment is widely shared. A substantial portion of the Nigerian populace believes that the real perpetrators of illegal mining are well-known among political elites and that the government’s new initiative is merely a diversionary tactic.

Illegal mining has long been a controversial topic in Nigeria, with persistent allegations that powerful politicians and influential figures are behind many illegal mining operations. These claims are bolstered by reports of military escorts and political cover for illegal mining activities, particularly in gold-rich regions like Zamfara, Osun, and Niger States.

In 2020, the Nigerian Senate investigated illegal mining activities and raised concerns that Chinese nationals, often working in collusion with local politicians, were smuggling gold and other minerals out of the country. Despite the uproar, no significant prosecutions followed, reinforcing the belief that illegal mining networks enjoy immunity due to their political connections.

Industry experts have raised concerns that the satellite technology might end up being a white elephant project. Some analysts argue that while technology can enhance monitoring, its effectiveness depends on the political will to act on the data.

What Nigeria Can Learn from Other Countries

Countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Brazil have successfully used satellite technology to monitor mining activities. In Ghana, the Galamsay Tracker, a satellite-based system, has helped reduce illegal gold mining by providing transparent data to regulatory authorities. However, Ghana’s success also hinged on strong enforcement measures, including seizing equipment and prosecuting offenders, even when they had political ties.

For Nigeria, skeptics point to previous multi-billion naira projects that failed to deliver on their promises. From the controversial surveillance contracts awarded under the Goodluck Jonathan administration to the unexplained security votes during the Buhari era, Nigerians have seen numerous instances where large sums of money were spent with little to show for it.

Mining Communities Left Behind Once Again

Beyond corruption concerns, there are fears that the new technology will do little to address the plight of mining communities. Many of these communities suffer from environmental degradation, health risks, and economic exploitation by illegal miners, often with the tacit support of local authorities.

Activists note that instead of spending billions on technology, the government should focus on creating alternative livelihoods for artisanal miners and investing in community development projects that would provide tangible benefits to those living in mining regions.