Minister of Mines and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite has stated that Taraba State is richly endowed with resources especially gemstones.

The Minister said gemstone is a source of revenue generation and mining companies must follow laid down procedures which include the payment of royalties.

Adegbite made this known in Abuja yesterday when  Governor Darius Ishaku visited him.

A statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Theodore Agbagwa said:

“The  Minister of Mines and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite has urged mining companies and other operators in the Minerals and Metals sector to operate within the operational guidelines within the Mining Act.


“Adegbite praised the governor for his humility and determination to visit the Ministry to seek clarification on development in the sector. “To know exactly what Taraba State was doing right or wrong in mineral exploration.”

“The Minister noted that the state was richly endowed with abundant mineral resources especially Gemstone which is a veritable source of revenue generation, but said the mining companies must follow laid down procedures including obtaining operational licenses as well as payment of royalties to the Federal Government.

Governor Ishaku said there are several illegal miners operating in the state and has come to seek ways to ameliorate the development that will place the state in the right path to benefit maximally from the mining of mineral resources in the state. “