The Federal Government has hailed the Dangote Group for what it described as satisfactory and skillful mining of raw material for its numerous cement plants in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2nd Miners Stakeholders Forum 2013 held last week  in Abuja, Minister of Mines and Steel Development Mr. Musa Mohammad Sada, said the Dangote mining operation is the best in the country because it strictly adheres to global best practice, and has met all the requirement expected of it by the mining laws and policies of the Federal Government.
The Stakeholders Forum organized by the Miners Association of Nigeria has Dangote Group as the major sponsor.
“Dangote’s mining business is a success because it uses new technology and does it skillfully by turning the raw material into real value putting  into consideration the people and the envoronment. That is why Dangote is so much respected everywhere in the country,” the minister said.
He said it is always better that mining operations are in the hands of Nigerians, noting that it is only “Nigerians that can develop Nigeria.”
Speaking at the Forum, President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote said at its present installed cement production capacity, the Group potentially requires about 32 MMtof quarried material to operate at optimum output, making it the largest “mining company” in Nigeria.
Represented by an Executive Director Joseph Makoju, Mr. Dangote said: “At Ibese, the limestone characteristics allow us to avoid blasting through the use of surface mining technology. The equipment used is highly sophisticated and we are the only cement company in Nigeria (and possibly in Africa) using this technology. The absence of blasting means there is no vibration and the ecosystem is not disturbed.”
Mr. Dangote also said his cement company has intensified it Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in the communities hosting its mining operations.
President of the Miners Association of Nigeria Sani Shehu commended the Dangote Group for supporting the Forum and for the development of mining business in Nigeria.