The Federal and State Governments have been mandated to supply data on identified mineral resources in the country as a way of boosting the nation's prospects in solid mineral resources.

This was disclosed by National President of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME), Benjamin Nwude, at the weekend in Ilorin. Kwara State capital.

Nwude said at a press briefing in Ilorin that the development would form the kernel of the 12th Annual General Meeting and conference of the NSME slated for Ilorin in November this year. The weekend's conference was used to sensitise the members of the society ahead of the conference.

Under the development, which is equally aimed at checking the activities of illegal miners in the country, each of the 36 states is expected to form a committee on mining to serve as a link between the governments and the private miners.