The Enugu State Government has announced significant progress in the development of its solid minerals sector, revealing ongoing exploration activities and regulatory reforms aimed at harnessing the state’s rich mineral resources to stimulate economic growth.

The Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Solid Minerals and Mining, Samuel Okoro, made this known on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Government House in Enugu.

Okoro explained that the state government had conducted extensive geological investigations across several locations in the state. These included geospatial mapping and geochemical analysis designed to determine the volume and quality of mineral deposits available.

According to him, the exercise is part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader plan to revitalise dormant natural resources and transform them into viable economic assets capable of boosting development.

“Exploration is the first stage of mining. We carried out mapping, geospatial and geochemical studies to clearly identify the resources available across the state. When members of the Senate Committee visited Enugu and we briefed them on our activities, they expressed satisfaction and even indicated they would recommend our approach to other states,” Okoro said.

He noted that Enugu, long regarded as Nigeria’s coal hub, still possesses substantial coal reserves that could support large-scale industrial and energy projects.

Okoro revealed that recent geological assessments indicate the state’s coal deposits may be significantly higher than earlier projections of about 300 million tonnes.

He added that the discovery strengthens the government’s plan to generate about 1,000 megawatts of electricity from coal, as part of a long-term strategy to address power shortages and support industrial expansion.

“The governor has already declared that we intend to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity from our coal resources. This is not just a political statement; it reflects a clear policy direction, and steps towards achieving it are already underway,” he stated.

The adviser also disclosed that the government has begun cleaning up the state’s mining sector. He said investigations revealed more than 100 mineral licences, with less than one per cent currently being developed.

According to him, many of the licences were acquired by speculators who had no intention of engaging in actual mining operations. As a result, the government has moved to recover some of these licences and reassign them to credible investors willing to develop the sector.

Okoro further revealed that authorities have shut down over 40 illegal mining sites in areas such as Camp 2, Akwukwe, Udenu and parts of Ozalla.

He added that several individuals involved in the illegal operations had been arrested and prosecuted as part of efforts to restore order and strengthen regulation within the mining industry.

Okoro expressed optimism that with the exploration work already completed and reforms ongoing, the solid minerals sector would soon become a key contributor to economic growth and revenue generation in Enugu State.