The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to improving mining operations by transforming the lives of local miners and ensuring safer mining practices across the country.
Executive Secretary of the Solid Mineral Development Fund (SMDF), Hajia Fatima Shinkafi, stated this at the opening of a strategic sensitization program for artisanal and small-scale miners in Kaduna.
She said, the Solid Mineral Development Fund is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that is empowered by law to undertake activities such as developing human and physical capacity in the sector, equipping mining institutions, and providing infrastructure in mining areas.
Represented by the Head of Human Resources, Mr. Daniel Oluwa, the Executive Secretary explained that the programme aims to empower miners with essential knowledge of safer mining practices, in addition to providing them with the necessary tools for efficient and secure operations.
Hajia Fatima further pointed out that, the sector also faces significant risks that included hazardous working conditions, accidents among other environmental concerns, hence the need for awareness on best practices, health and safety standards toward reducing accidents and improving working conditions for miners.
The Mining Officer for the North West Zone, Mr. Siaka Usman, highlighted the significance of the strategic programme in improving the safety and productivity of small-scale miners.
Artisanal small scale miners, ASMs
He explained that, the programme provided a platform for the Artisanal small scale miners, ASMs to be exposed to the benefit of using personal protective equipments such as the nose masks, Google and foot wears among others to guarantee their safety.
He warned that, some minerals contain radioactive substances that could pose serious hazard to miners, hence the strategic sensitization program to enable them understand that it’s not every operation they expose their body to without adequate protection.
Participants at the event were drawn from various state chapters of the Miners Association of Nigeria, including Women in Mining, security agencies, and other stakeholders.The highlight of the programme was the distribution of safety kits and mining tools such as wheelbarrows, water pumping machines, nose masks, and shovel among other essential equipment to participants.