The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has inaugurated an eight-member fact-finding committee to investigate and resolve the ongoing conflict between the Osun State government and Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), a subsidiary of Thor Explorations Limited. The committee, led by Imam Ganiyu, the ministry’s Director of Mining Inspectorate, is tasked with completing its inquiry within seven days.

This initiative follows the Osun State government’s recent decision on September 30 to seal SROL’s business premises based on a court order permitting confiscation due to alleged tax violations and operational issues. The state has accused the company of unethical business practices and failing to pay taxes amounting to $1.9 million.

During the committee’s inauguration in Abuja, Minister Alake underscored the Federal Government’s position that mining activities fall under the exclusive legislative list, asserting that sub-national entities lack the authority to disrupt mining operations.

He stated, “While mining companies must adhere to all relevant laws and regulations including tax payments, environmental considerations, and Corporate Social Responsibility it is our firm belief that sub-national authorities do not have the power to arbitrarily shut down mining operations. The regulation, legislation, and direction of mining, whether of liquid or solid minerals, rest solely within the Federal Government’s purview.”