Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has called for the establishment of a Solid Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (SOMPADEC).

He made the call on Friday in Jos when he received Minister of State for Mines and Steel Alhaji Mohammed Gusau. Jang said the commission would take care of the devastation caused by mining activities in various areas, where such activities had taken place in the country.

Jang, who had argued in a statement signed by James Mannok, Director of Press and Public Affairs, that oil exploration was financed from revenues accruing from solid minerals, called for measures to checkmate illegal miners and the re-opening of Nigerian Mining College, Jos, which was closed down by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.
He said his administration planned to find alternative uses for the abandoned mining ponds scattered all over the state.

Gusau had earlier described the state as the centre for mining activities, promising that the ministry would introduce a mining policy in 2008 that would evolve an environment-friendly mining system in the country.

He also promised to reclaim abandoned mining ponds in partnership with the state government.