The Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter Gwom, has revealed that the State’s monthly mining royalties have surged from between ₦30 million and ₦50 million to nearly ₦400 million, following new policies and reforms introduced by both the federal and state governments.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Voice of Nigeria on the sidelines of the 10th edition of Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja , Commissioner Gwom said Plateau State, famously known as “Tin City,” has been synonymous with mining for nearly a century.
However, he noted that the industry had long suffered from the impact of the Indigenisation Decree of the 1970s, which led to widespread illegal mining activities.
“Mining has been going on in Plateau State for almost 100 years. Although due to the Indigenous Act in the 70s, mining became a bit chaotic, and what has been prevalent in the state is illegal mining,” he said.
“But I must say that the emergence of this government at the federal level has done more than many other governments in the past decades. We’re seeing that mining is now at the forefront of revenue generation for both the state and the federation.”
Mr. Gwom emphasised that his ministry has been working to sanitise the sector, ensuring that local communities and the state benefit fairly from mineral resources rather than being exploited by private companies.
“When I came into office in 2023, the royalties that we were receiving were between 30 to 50 million Naira monthly. But right now, we’re doing almost 400 million Naira in a month. That is due to the policies of the federal government,” he explained.
He added that the Plateau State Government is actively collaborating with the federal government to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within the mining sector.
Highlighting the state’s mineral wealth, Mr. Gwom said Plateau remains one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich states:
“We’re known as Tin City. Tin is probably the largest mineral deposit we have; the biggest in Nigeria and possibly in West Africa. But beyond tin, we also have lead, zinc, monazite, barite, and many other minerals. Plateau State probably has the most minerals in commercial quantities in Nigeria,” he stated.
According to the Commissioner, the administration’s ongoing reforms are positioning Plateau State as a major player in Nigeria’s solid minerals development, attracting local and international investors while reducing illegal mining operations.