The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, DELE ALAKE, says more revocation of mining licenses is imminent for other categories of defaulters in 2024.

ALAKE issued the warning in his New Year Goodwill Message to Nigerians in Lagos State.

The Federal Government had revoked 1,633 mining licenses of those that defaulted in the payment of annual service fees in 2023.

The minister said the Federal Government was prioritising value addition for prospective investors in the mining sector, adding that the era of carting away their resources was over.

The minister said the plans would make the mining sector experience a major leap in 2024 toward contributing to increased Gross Domestic Product.

He said this was in line with President BOLA TINUBU’s vision of diversifying the economy through a renewed focus on solid minerals, asserting that reforms in the sector would yield tremendous results in the new year.

According to him, the solid minerals development ministry will be consolidating on reforms that commenced with an ambitious seven-point agenda, on assumption of office, four months ago.

ALAKE assured Nigerians that an efficient governance structure that would transform the secretive nature of the mining sector would crystallise this year.