Kaduna state logo
Kaduna and illegal minning, Fg warns strongly. The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development warned communities and miners in Southern Kaduna on Saturday about the hazards of engaging in and tolerating illicit mining activities in their areas.
The North-West office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals hosted a Town Hall Meeting in Kafanchan, Jamaa Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Kutman Hosea-Ali, the Zonal Mines Coordinator, informed the audience that the ministry was committed to improving collaboration and understanding among all stakeholders by creating a suitable environment for sustainable mining activities in the state.
He stated that Southern Kaduna was a developing mining zone, thus the need for sensitization.
Consent, community development agreements, surface rent, and environmental impact assessments were identified as important sources of friction between host communities and mining firms, according to him.
Before mobilizing workers to the site, Ali advised mining businesses to get all essential mining licenses and permits.
He also urged artisanal miners to form a small-scale cooperative license in order to operate lawfully and expand their operations.
“We are here on behalf of the minister who directed that a meeting of this nature should be held in Kaduna and Kafanchan in particular.
“This is because Southern Kaduna is coming up as an active mining zone; it’s active in the sense that lithium, which is becoming a hot cake globally, is found predominantly here.
“When they give you a mining license, before you do anything go and identify the owners of the land, show your license covers and explain to them all that is needed for proper understanding before proceeding to start mining,” he went on to say.
Earlier, Mr Eric Billy, an operative from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Kaduna Zonal Command, cautioned stakeholders that illicit mining was an economic crime that must be reported and perpetrators held accountable.
“People should try and get the requisite license because there are a lot of those involved in this illegal licensing and when we (EFCC) go after them, they will complain of witch-hunting only for a deeper investigation to reveal they are culpable,” he went on to say.
This was as the operative appealed to traditional and community leaders to always demand a copy of the mining license from companies and miners that operate in their environment.
In addition, CSP Samson Dodo, the Second-in-Command of the Kafanchan Police Area Command, stated that the police would ensure that peace and order are maintained at the numerous mining sites.
Monday Barau, a representative of mining businesses in the state, blamed unlawful mining for the sector’s low contribution to Nigeria’s economy.
As a result, he sought the help of stakeholders in order to reposition the mining sector and maximize its potential.
Various security agencies, traditional rulers, mining firms, and community and local government leaders attended the one-day sensitization seminar.