The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has partnered ImPPPact Nigeria Alliance and other relevant agencies to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) database aimed at reclaiming abandoned mining sites in Plateau State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this during a meeting with the management of ImPPPact Nigeria Alliance. Represented by the Director of Human Resources, Dr. Ijeoma Idika, the minister expressed confidence in the project’s success and urged the organization to incorporate technical advice from the ministry alongside its collaboration with other stakeholders.
According to Olushola Ajayi, Managing Director of ImPPPact Nigeria Alliance, the initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the ministry in 2023, with Plateau State selected as the first beneficiary of the reclamation program.
Ajayi emphasized the critical role of GIS data in providing accurate spatial and environmental insights necessary for site identification, environmental assessments, and land-use planning. He noted that, at present, no comprehensive GIS database exists for abandoned mining sites in Plateau State, making rehabilitation efforts challenging.
“The project will be executed in two phases,” he explained. “The first phase focuses on data collation for the GIS database of abandoned pits, enabling us to properly identify and characterize these sites. Without understanding their composition and condition, effective rehabilitation is nearly impossible.”
Ajayi also revealed that Germany-based geomatic services company, Intomatics, will be involved in the project, utilizing satellite imagery techniques to gather data and compare findings with on-the-ground realities in Plateau State.
Andreas Kuhnen, Director of Geospatial Data at Intomatics, further elaborated that the collected GIS data would be processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to extract key insights from satellite images. The final dataset will be submitted to the Mining Cadastre Office, helping to attract major investors and revitalize the mining sector.
This initiative marks a significant step toward sustainable mining practices, ensuring abandoned sites are properly reclaimed while enhancing the economic potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
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