– Out of the 320 illegal miners that were arrested in recent months, about 150 are currently facing prosecution, while nine, including four foreigners, have been convicted.

– FEC has approved N2.5 billion for the purchase of satellite surveillance equipment to combat illegal and unregulated mining nationwide.

– To end the conflicts often associated with trying to stop states from delving into the mineral sector, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development offered the State Governments to form an SPV to apply for a mining license in their states.

– Many states in the country have embraced the SPV approach after President Bola Tinubu gave the Ministry the authority to expedite approvals for state-owned mining operations.

– The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence have been working closely to curb illegal mining operations.

– The government has been implementing a two-pronged approach (persuasive and coercive) to address illegal mining.

– Under the persuasive strategy, informal and artisanal miners are encouraged to form cooperatives to legalise their operations.

– 300 illegal mining groups have successfully been persuaded to form cooperative societies. They are now fully legalized, structured, and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s revenue.

– The FG has established the Nigerian Mining Corporation, a state-backed but privately driven entity aimed at revitalising the sector.