From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) has declared that every mining operation must maintain strong safety standards, effective risk management, and a culture in which protecting lives takes precedence over production targets and commercial pressures.
The National President of Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers, Engr Umar Hassan made the call in his opening address at the 25th Annual General Meeting and International Conference of the Society held at the Adankolo Campus of the Federal University, Lokoja, on Wednesday.
Hassan said that Safety must remain a non-negotiable principle stressing that “we must ensure that recent loss of lives from mine accidents and related circumstances, as recorded in the Zurak Mine accident, Dekina Coal fields and Niger State gold fields, do not happen again”
He called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency employ additional mining and mineral process engineers to man the State’s Mines Inspectorate Offices for monitoring of mining operations in mine fields and enforcement of compliance with the provisions of Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA), 2007 and its Regulations of 2011.
He also urged the federal government to compel Mine Operators to employ Mining and Mineral Process Engineers for supervision of their mining operations and mineral processing plant operations in line with Section 73 of the NMMA, 2007.
The National President described the Theme of the Silver Jubilee Conference; “From Potential To Prosperity: Engineering The Solid Minerals Sector As A Catalyst For Nigeria’s Economic Renewal” as timely and a welcome development that would impact on mining industry.
He said that Nigeria’s mineral resources present a historic opportunity for economic transformation of which its prosperity must be engineered through sound policy, reliable geoscience data, responsible investment, modern infrastructure, environmental stewardship, technological innovation and professional leadership.
“As we mark the Silver Jubilee Conference, let us renew our commitment to building a mining sector that is safe, inclusive enviromentally responsible, innovative and globally competitive” the National President admonished
He disclosed that the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers which was inaugurated on 24th June 1989 is sadlled with the responsibility of promoting the science and practice of engineering in mining, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and geological engineering professions.
Other objectives for its establishment, he said, includes; bringing together all Mining, Minerals and Geological Engineers in Nigeria under one umbrella, advancing the science and practice of mining engineering, providing a means to facilitate the acquisition and preservation of knowledge pertaining to the profession of Geology, Mining, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, present to any government the views of the Society on any legislative enactment and enhance the welfare of members of the Society and protect their interests.
Governor Ahmed Ododo while speaking at the event, promised strong collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers in terms of formulating policies that would guarantee safety standards in mining operations in the state.
Governor Ododo represented by the Kogi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Abanika Taiye, commended the Society for the journey so far in the last 25 years of establishment and urged members to sustain the tempo in the years ahead.
The Governor who expressed joy with the abundant mineral resources in Kogi State, said that what is left is how to convert these resources to sustainable development.
“Solid Mineral Sector is of high value to the state hence my administration’s demand for any willing investors to come and help us tap these resources to the benefit of the people as regards socioeconomic development and job creation” Ododo said.
