The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, says he has received threats over the recent revocation of 1,263 mineral licences for non-payment of annual fees.
Alake stated this at a news conference ahead of the 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed `Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance` on Friday in Abuja.
He said some operators whose licences were revoked had been threatening international arbitration against him over the action and sponsoring media attacks against reforms in the sector.
The minister said he was not deterred as sanitising the sector was necessary and would naturally attract resistance from some quarters.
According to him, the step was taken to ensure Nigeria obtained commensurate revenue from the sector for national development.