Mining: Our Closure Is Political Witch-hunt – Solid Unit

BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – A mining company Solid Unit Nigeria Ltd operating in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, has frowned at its closure saying it is corporate sabotage which may not be devoid of political witch-hunt.
Accordingly, the company called on the Federal Government to check its records and reverse the assault carried out on it.
Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr. Fayemi Kayode, in company of the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungonu, and Governor Simon Lalong, led by an member of the House of Representatives representing Wase federal constituency, Hon Idris Maje, on Monday August 14, undertook a tour of the mining site of Solid Unit Nigeria Ltd in Zurak, Wase LGA, during which the minister accused the company of carrying out illegal mining operations and poor community relations.
But in a press statement signed the company described the action of the Federal Government as ill-informed and unsavoury corporate sabotage.
The statement which was signed by the Public
Relations officer of the company, Suleiman Adamu, said the it obtained its exploration license in 2010, and later renewed the document in 2015, which is due to expire on September 28, 2017.
Adamu further said; “At the time of the government action which purportedly closed the operations of the company, its exploration license was well in force and duly operational according to the law. We therefore wonder what informed such emotional official slam of
the corporate citizen.
“According to section 148 of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007, when the holder of a mineral title applies using the pendency of his title for renewal of the mineral title, the current mineral title shall remain in force until the date of the mineral tile, or the refusal of the application.”
Basing its position on the provision of another provision of the same Solid Minerals Act, section 65 which states to the effect that “subject to the provision of this Act, the Minister shall upon receipt of a valid application from a qualified applicant, grant an issue to that person a mining lease for the purposes required within forty five days of such application.”
The company expressed concern why the minister will act in contravention of the enabling law, especially when it has since applied for the mining lease 2011 and has fulfilled all conditions including payment of fees and levies amongst others.