The Mines and Steel Development Ministry is a Nigerian ministry established in 1985 to encourage development of the country’s solid mineral resources. The Ministry formulates policy, provides information on mining potential and production, regulates operations and generates revenue for the government. Operational departments include Mining cadastre (records of mine locations, ownership etc.), Geological survey of Nigeria, Mines inspectorate, Artisanal and small-scale mining and Mining environment.
Organisation
The Ministry is directed by a Federal Minister and by a Minister of State, both appointed by the President. A Permanent Secretary, who is a career civil servant, assists the Ministers. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for day-to-day operations and for implementation of policy changes. As of December 2009, the Permanent Secretary was Suleiman D. Kassim.