The Federal Government has indefinitely halted mining operations within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus and the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, Osun, pending an investigation into the alleged illegal mining activities in the vicinity.
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, declared the suspension after a meeting with OAU’s management, headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had urged for an inquiry into the illegal mining reports at OAU.
Segun Elvis, President of the NANS Senate, stated that these activities posed a grave risk to the safety and welfare of the institution’s students and staff.
In a similar vein, the National Association of University Students, OAU chapter, has decried the situation and called for immediate intervention by the relevant authorities to rectify the issue.
In response to the situation, the school management submitted a formal complaint to the relevant government authorities for prompt action.
The minister stated that, following the reports, officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Mines Inspectorate were deployed to the institution for an on-site assessment and preliminary investigations.
“Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the NGSA and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment.
“Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry now orders stoppage of all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigation, “he said.
Alake stated that he invited the school authorities to his office when the illegal operators, who had been summoned by the deployed officials, presented some licenses and letters of consent regarding their activities.
He said that the immediate suspension of the activities was necessary to enable the ministry to verify the authenticity of the documents.
Speaking, the VC stated that OAU has some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country, who were capable of handling exploration, research, and other activities of the mining value chain.
“We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.
“If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector, “he said.
According to him, the university has applied for an exploration license, which if approved, will enable it to carry out legal activities such as exploration and research on the distribution and quality of mineral resources.
He said that the activities would be within the university environs and across the country.
