He said that the government would "engage in discussions with the miners and multinational companies involved in the importation, with a view to arriving at a decision that will be beneficial to all."

Gusau said that the government would look into the miners' request for a ban on importation of the product on the ground that they could meet local demand.

He called on the miners to "give the government assurance that they have the wherewithal to meet the demand for Baryte if their request is granted."

Gusau told the miners that government was determined to develop the mining sector and encourage artisans and small-scale miners by creating a favourable atmosphere for them to operate.

Earlier, the President of the association, Chief Stephen Alao, said: "Importation of Baryte by multinational companies is having negative effect on the operations of the artisans and small scale miners.

"If the trend continues, the Baryte miners will be thrown out of business and will not have a means of livelihood."

In March 2006, the immediate past Minister, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, announced a ban on importation of Baryte.

She had said that only locally mined and processed Baryte would be used in the country. The measure was put in place to encourage artisans and small-scale miners to develop.

The miners had given an assurance that they could meet up to 85 per cent local demand for Baryte if the government assisted them with mining equipment.