Nigeria, March 4 -- The Nigerian government has approved N2.5 billion to procure satellite surveillance gadgets to combat illegal mining activities in the country.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the project is expected to take off within a maximum timeline of one month.

Speaking to State House correspondents after Monday's Federal Executive Council meeting, the minister revealed that the project's benefits are numerous, including combating unregulated mining activities, unlicensed mining operators, and underreporting of production at mining sites.

"We are procuring satellite equipment, satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over the country that would enable us to have a visual ef...