FG begins formalisation of mining operations in Nigeria

The Federal Government has said it will soon begin formalisation of activities of no fewer than 500,000 artisanal and small-scale miners with a view to checkmating chaotic mining operations in the country.

This followed Federal Government alleged neglect of miners in the South-East zone, has accused government of not extending incentives to miners in the zone like their counterparts in other parts of the country, especially in the North.

Coordinator of Miners in the South East, Chief Henry Igboeli, also lamented that intimidation and double taxation by governments of the zone were hindering their activities and urged the federal government to intervene.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite stated during an extension service programme organised for registered and performing mining cooperatives, small-scale mining companies and quarrying associations in Enugu that the validation exercise was to enable them to contribute to the social-economic development of the rural areas.

Adegbite, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Hasana Sha’Aba, stated that it was in recognition of the importance of mining cooperatives that the ministry adopted the strategy to address the artisanal mining issue while using it as an instrument to alleviate poverty.

“This process involves bringing the many artisanal and small-scale miners scattered in almost all the states of the federation into legally identifiable groups. By this way, the activities of operators are better evaluated, monitored, supervised, regulated and administered by government,” he stated.

Adegbite restated Federal Government’s commitment to sustained increase in revenue generation, stressing that increased production of minerals would boost revenue base of the country and earn foreign exchange through export.

He disclosed that the extension services had become important following the negative environmental impacts and other vices that could lead to social disruption and conflicts within the area of their operations, adding that it was supported by section 91 of the mineral and mining act, 2007.

Meanwhile, miners in the South East zone alleged that state governments hide under environmental laws to levy miners in the various states. They said that they were being made to pay N500 for each trip of sand to the state and local governments, even when mining was on the exclusive list of the Federal Government. They also alleged influx of illegal miners in the zone.

Responding to the development, a Principal Geologist with the ministry, Mmakaogu Chukwudi, said the relevant laws stipulated the levies meant for each tier of government, adding that it was wrong for states or local governments to demand levy for mining sites and urged those involved to write formerly to the Ministry on the issue for assistance.

Chukwudi said a mobile court was already in place to try those who flout government regulations, warning, “once we get you, we will try you based on the relevant laws.”