The Enugu State Government says it is intensifying efforts to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key driver of economic growth, revealing plans to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity from coal while also eliminating illegal mining activities across the state.
The Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Solid Minerals and Mining, Samuel Onyinye Okoro, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing on the state’s mining sector reforms and development strategy.
Okoro described mining as a complex sector that requires patience and long-term planning, noting that Nigeria’s historic reliance on oil has slowed the development of solid minerals.
“It is a very serious and difficult sector to develop because of the way it has been structured in Nigeria and because of our dependence on a mono-economy, which is oil,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he said the Enugu State Government has made significant progress in laying the foundation for sustainable mining development, although many of the initiatives have deliberately been kept out of the public spotlight until they mature.
“It is not that we are media-shy, but our sector sometimes prefers to work under the radar. We believe people should see the results when they manifest rather than hear about them before they are done,” he explained.
Reviving Enugu’s Coal Economy
Okoro said the state’s strategy aligns with Governor Mbah’s vision of transforming dormant natural resources into engines of prosperity.
“We embarked on this journey because of the goals of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, who promised to revamp our dormant assets and convert them into tools for state prosperity,” he said.
According to him, the government began with extensive exploration activities, including mapping, geospatial and geochemical studies to determine the state’s mineral potential.
He noted that the state’s largest mineral resource remains coal, which historically earned Enugu its reputation as the Coal City State.
“Coal is our major mineral resource, but it requires significant infrastructure to develop compared with minerals like gold,” he said.
The adviser revealed that the government plans to leverage its coal reserves to tackle Nigeria’s power deficit through electricity generation.
“Last year, when His Excellency visited Lagos, he made a policy statement that Enugu State would generate 1,000 megawatts of power from coal. That statement was not for political aggrandisement; it is based on a real plan already in progress,” he added.
Okoro said available exploration data suggests that Enugu’s coal reserves may exceed the widely cited estimate of 300 million tonnes, providing enough resources to sustain long-term power generation.
War on Illegal Mining
Okoro also revealed that the state government inherited a largely unregulated mining ecosystem dominated by speculators and illegal operators.
According to him, more than 100 mineral titles existed in the state when the current administration assumed office, but less than one percent were actively being developed.
“Many of those titles were held by speculators who had no intention of working there. They simply acquired the licences in the hope that someone would want the land later and they would sell it at a higher price,” he said.
He said the government confronted the problem by reclaiming some licences and shutting down illegal mining sites across the state.
“We discovered over 40 illegal mining operations in different parts of the state that were causing environmental degradation. We tackled them, and today we have largely eliminated illegal mining in Enugu,” he stated.
He added that some operators were arrested, their vehicles and illegally mined minerals confiscated, while prosecutions are ongoing.
Strengthening Regulation
To improve coordination in the sector, Okoro said the state government revived the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).
The committee serves as a bridge between the federal and state governments, local authorities, mining companies and host communities.
“MIREMCO is the platform that allows all stakeholders to work together and address issues relating to mining operations,” he explained.
Okoro noted that obtaining a mining licence alone does not automatically permit operations, stressing that companies must also meet regulatory conditions.
“You need a Community Development Agreement with the host community, an Environmental Impact Assessment, and several other regulatory approvals. If you fail to meet these conditions, your operation is not legal,” he said.
Protecting Host Communities
He emphasised that mining companies are legally required to protect host communities and repair roads used by their trucks.
“The law requires miners to maintain the roads their trucks ply. It is not optional — it is their obligation,” he said.
According to him, mining companies must also sign Community Development Agreements (CDAs) outlining employment opportunities and development projects for host communities.
Okoro said the government investigates complaints of environmental pollution or water contamination linked to mining activities and ensures that remediation measures are taken where necessary.
Transparency in Community Mining Revenues
Among the government’s major reforms, he highlighted the formalisation of sand mining and the creation of community mining committees to improve transparency.
He said the initiative has already exposed major revenue leakages in some communities.
“In one community, they were receiving only ₦100,000 annually from mining activities. After we introduced proper monitoring, they generated ₦594,000 in just one month,” he said.
According to him, ensuring that communities are aware of the revenue generated from their natural resources will help curb corruption and reduce conflicts over leadership positions.
Sector Yet to Reach Revenue Potential
Okoro acknowledged that the mining sector has not yet begun to contribute significantly to Enugu’s GDP but said groundwork has been laid for major growth.
“This is not a sector where you immediately start generating huge revenue. But the potential is enormous,” he said.
He hinted that major developments could soon be unveiled.
“In the next few months, there will be groundbreaking projects that may even attract the attention of the President. That is when people will begin to see clearly what we have been working on,” he said.
Okoro added that within the next year, the state government expects the mining sector to begin making measurable contributions to the state’s economy.
