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Tag: illegal mining

  • Four held as Oyo probes two Chinese over illegal mining

    Four held as Oyo probes two Chinese over illegal mining

    The Oyo State Government has arrested four individuals for alleged illegal mining activities.

    The government also said it was investigating the immigration status of two Chinese nationals alleged to be the leaders of the illegal mining operations.

    Governor Seyi Makinde revealed this while addressing reporters shortly after inspecting a Yard around Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government along the Ibadan- Lagos Expressway on Saturday.

    Makinde who expressed dismay over the activities of the suspects, said from available records, the yard was approved to be a recycling plant for tyres and batteries.

    It was however discovered through intelligence gathering that the operators had been using the place to crush lithium among other illicit mining activities.

    The governor lamented that the illegal miners appeared emboldened due to the support they enjoy from supposed powers that be, adding that  constitutional provisions which allowed them to be licensed by the federal government without input from the state was also a challenge.

    Makinde noted that the state government was always left to bear the brunt of issues arising from mining operations.

    At the yard, The Nation observed two heavy trucks, crushing machines and crushed and bagged lithium which were stacked to be loaded in the trucks.

    One of the trucks also has the bagged lithium already loaded in it.

    Makinde said: “Well, you can see what is going on here, it is still the same problem of illegal mining activities and the folks are even getting bolder.

    “This place, according to record available to us was meant to be a yard to recycle tyres and batteries but coming in here, you can see their operations, you can’t find a single battery or a single tyre here.

    “They are crushing lithium here and unfortunately they have support from all over. Preliminary investigation indicated two Chinese nationals are the ones leading this and they also have a lawyer from Katsina. Some of the workers too are from Zamfara.

    “I think, it is still the same thing about the constitutional provisions where they issue licenses to Miners in Abuja without the state government having an input and once we have the fallout, the state government will bear the brunt.”

    Makinde said the state government was already seeking information from the Nigeria Immigration Service on the Chinese, noting that once there was evidence against them, they would be prosecuted according to the laws.

    “We will keep trying to foster cooperation among all the stakeholders. Yes we want business to thrive in Oyo state, but local laws must be obeyed.

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    “We are not saying don’t come to Oyo State, but we are saying, when you come in here, you should obey the local laws. So, that is where we are.

    “All of these items will be moved, the state government will take over the facility via court process. This is a clear violation of the Executive Order that I signed. It is a problem that we have to address.

    “I think four individuals have been arrested. For the Chinese nationals, we have linked up with the immigration and once we are able to find something to prosecute them on, we will prosecute them.

    “First, we need to get to the bottom of all of these but in the meantime, this facility will be taken over by the government of Oyo State,” he said.

    Top government functionaries in company of the governor during the inspection were State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, Special Adviser (Securiry), CP Fatai Owoseni (Rtd.), Executive Assistant on Security CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd.), and the State Commandant, Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, Colonel Olayinka Olayanju (Rtd).

  • Six held over ‘illegal’ mining in Enugu

    Six held over ‘illegal’ mining in Enugu

    The Enugu State Government has arrested six persons and impounded seven trucks in Obollo-Afor over alleged violation of its ban on mining activities.

    The arrest followed a visit yesterday to the mining site by Dr Kingsley Nnaji, Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Solid Minerals and the Divisional Police Officer of Obollo-Afor, CSP Ignatius Attah.

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Enugu State Government had last September 15, prohibited mining in the state, warning that infractions of the ban would be sanctioned.

    Nnaji said that the government sealed all illegal mining sites, few months ago, after the ban.

    He said that the visit followed a tip-off that illegal activities were still ongoing at some of the sealed sites.

    “The state government is not against genuine investors, but illegal ones that have caused havoc by degrading and polluting streams from which our people fetch their drinking water.

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    “The people violated the court order against illegal mining in the state.

    “The State Government therefore gave another order to confiscate their vehicles and other equipment found at the sites.

    “This was to enable them collaborate with the police and the State Government to do the necessary things needed for legal mining before the property would be released,” he said.

    Nnaji further explained that the order included arrest of buyers of coal mined at illegal sites.

    “If nobody was buying coal illicitly mined, nobody will mine. We are clamping down on illegal miners.

    Nnaji warned vehicle/equipment leasing businesses not to lease their vehicles and equipment to illegal miners, adding that if they were caught, their vehicle would be confiscated.

    Also, CSP Attah, the DPO, said that the police would continue to support the local and state governments in its efforts to rid the state of illegal mining.

    Attah said that those arrested were taken to police headquarters in Enugu where they made statements and were subsequently, detained.

    “The vehicles confiscated include four trailers, one pay loader Caterpillar, one low bed and a truck,” the DPO said.

  • Borno reaffirms ban on illegal mining

    Borno reaffirms ban on illegal mining

    The Borno Government yesterday reaffirmed its ban on illegal mining in its domain.  It warned defaulters of the dire consequences.

     Prof. Usman Tar, the Information and Internal Security Commissioner enjoined the public to adhere strictly to the ban.

     In a statement in Maiduguri, the commissioner said: “The military and security agencies are requested to be vigilant and apprehend defaulters.

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     “For the avoidance of doubt, the ban on illegal mining remains active in the light of the fragile security situation in Borno.

    “Let’s enforce the ban. Any illegal miner caught will be prosecuted.” he warned.

     Seventeen solid minerals are found in the Northeast state, according to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

     The minerals include: Feldspar, Limestone, Kaolin, Potash, Iron-Ore, Quarts, Magnetite, Diatomite, Trona, Mica, Silica Sand, Gypsum, Granite, Flutters Earth and Uranium.

  •  10 nabbed over illegal mining

     10 nabbed over illegal mining

    Kogi State Government has arrested not fewer than 10 persons over illegal mining, according to Mr Bashiru Gegu, solid and natural resources commissioner.

     He told reporters yesterday in Lokoja that the Special Task Force on Smuggling and Related Crimes, which made the arrests, also impounded 50 trucks carrying coal.

     Gegu added that the arrest and seizures followed Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent order banning illegal mining in the state.

     “The defaulters shall be prosecuted accordingly. The action taken today is to send a message to defaulters that ‘Operation Stop Illegal Mining In Kogi’ is on course.

     “We are working with the support of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Department of State Services, (DSS), and local vigilantes.”

    “Over the years, we have asked miners in the state, who are approved by the Federal Government, to register with the state ministry of solid minerals and natural resources, but they always refused.

     “All directives fell on deaf ears with people brazenly destroying our communities. Illegal mining is totally prohibited in Kogi.

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    “We hereby warn all illegal mining companies and individuals to stop their activities forthwith, or the long hands of the law will catch up with them,” he warned

     Gegu appealed to residents of Kogi to be vigilant and to report any one found engaging in illegal mining.

     Elder Friday Makama, Chairman of the special task force, in a remark, declared that it would no longer be business as usual for illegal miners in the state.

     “It is unfortunate that some set of individuals are milking Kogi of its natural resources. That is why Gov. Yahaya Bello, who wants the best for the People of Kogi, put a stop to illegal mining in the state.

     “All miners in Kogi must operate within the ambit of the law; my duty is to ensure the enforcement of the directive given by our governor,” he said . (NAN)

  • Illegal mining: House pushes for Mines Inspectorate agency

    Illegal mining: House pushes for Mines Inspectorate agency

    The chairman of House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Gaza Gbefwi, said the House of Representatives is presently advocating for the establishment of a Mines Inspectorate Environmental Agency.

    He said the agency would be expected to monitor miners to ensure better revenue for the country just like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) handles taxpayers.

    Gbefwi said the greatest challenge in the solid minerals sector is dealing with illegal miners and the fact that it does not have enough boots on the ground to tackle the scourge.

    The Honorable member said this yesterday in Abuja at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Research Project, policy dialogue with the legislature, Senate and House of Representative committees on Solid Minerals.

    Gbefwi while speaking with newsmen said: “If Nigeria can have the resources coming from the Solid Minerals sector, Nigeria would be far ahead of its pairs within the subregion because of the great endowment we enjoy in Solid minerals.

    “Unfortunately, States have very lean manpower in terms of the inspection of mining sites at the state levels. What we are advocating for is to see that we increase the number of boots on the ground in the states where you have in each senatorial district, mines Inspectorate offices that are established with adequate manpower that we hope would graduate into an independent entity that can be called the Mines Inspectorate Environmental Agency that would be in charge of compliance and give them independence and flexibility to operate.

    “We know that one of the greatest challenges of this sector is illegal mining, ones we can have adequate monitoring like FIRS monitors taxpayers, let’s have an agency that would monitor miners so that we have better revenue at the end of the day.”

    The chairman of RMAFC, Mohammed Shehu said over the years, in the course of discharging this mandate, the Commission has observed that revenue accruals into the Federation Account from the solid mineral sector have been abysmally low, compared to that from hydrocarbons.

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    He said this is opposed to what was obtained in the 60s and 70s when the Nigerian economy was sustained by revenue from the agricultural and solid mineral sectors.

    She added that consequently, and in line with the effort of the Government of the Federation to diversify the nation’s economy, the Commission conducted two nationwide solid minerals revenue monitoring exercises in the last Seven years. Specifically, 2016 (Phase 1) and 2022 (Phase ll), to boost revenue generation from the mining sector.

    The chairman also said it has been established that despite the robust activities of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining, the subsector contributes a negligible amount to the Federation Account due to the informal nature of operations.

  • Declare state of emergency on illegal mining, Reps tell Fed govt

    Declare state of emergency on illegal mining, Reps tell Fed govt

    • House to probe oil revenue shortfall
    • Revocation of undeveloped lands: ‘Wike implementing last govt’s decision’
    • Lawmakers urge NDLEA to end drug bunks
    • Reps panel to help tackle boat mishaps

    The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency against illegal mining in the country.

    Expressing its worry about the effect of illegal mining on the economy and national security, the House advised the Federal Government to constitute a special security task force that would comprise the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to flush out illegal miners from any part of the country.

    Adopting a motion on notice sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims, the Green Chamber asked the government to make a special intervention in the 2024 budget estimates for the establishment of Mineral Monitoring and Inspection offices equipped with qualified manpower and equipment/infrastructure in the 109 senatorial districts of the country.

    He said the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2022 report put the solid mineral sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 0.63 per cent, or N1.10 trillion, and contribution to government revenue at 2.62 per cent of government’s N6.63 trillion total revenue. 

    Also, the House yesterday promised to unravel the causes of revenue shortfall from oil.

    Speaking at the commencement of the consideration of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MEET/FSP), Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke, said the House was determined to ensure value for money on all agreements the government had signed.

    But the absence of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, yesterday stalled the commencement of consideration of the MEET/FSP.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had presented the MEET/FSP to the National Assembly for consideration ahead of the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

    Faleke said: “It is imperative to note the importance of revenue on the outcomes of the national budget. The committee has observed various factors that have caused shortfalls in expected revenues as well as charges to government revenues from commitments by agencies of government.

    “The committee will not accept such laxity on the part of MDAs in not negotiating the best for the country.”

    Also, Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Aliyu Muktar Betara, yesterday said the decision to revoke certificate of occupancy (C of O) of undeveloped lands in the territory was taken by the immediate past administration.

    Betara, who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the committee, said the current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike only implemented a decision that had been taken before the minister assumed office.

    He also said Wike had the full backing of the House Committee to transform the FCT to the best federal capital in the world.

    The lawmaker urged those with landed property in the FCT to pay their ground rent, as Wike had directed.

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    Also, the House yesterday urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to come up with a mechanism for the eradication of drug bunks in all the states of the federation.

    The House mandated its Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to ensure compliance.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion, titled: “Call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to Eradicate Drug Bunks in the Country,” moved by Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo.

    Also, the House Committee on Inland Waterways has promised to investigate causes of boat mishaps and find solutions to them.

    Committee Chairman Ojema Ojotu made the promise at the committee’s inaugural meeting yesterday.

    Ojotu said there had been several reports on the deaths that resulted from boat mishaps across the country.

    He assured all stakeholders that through effective oversight of the relevant agencies of government and adequate legislations, the committee would help to tackle the menace.

  • Chinese firm gets quit notice over ‘illegal’ mining in A’Ibom communities

    Chinese firm gets quit notice over ‘illegal’ mining in A’Ibom communities

    Ekid people in Eket and Esit Eket local government areas of Akwa Ibom state have ordered a Chinese firm, Ruitai Mining Ltd, to vacate their lands for engaging in illegal mining.

    Under the aegis of Ekid Peoples Union (EPU), they accused the firm of illegally mining a mineral resource, limonite on their lands located at Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve also known as Akoiyak Ekid.

    President-General of EPU, Samuel Udonsak in a press conference in Eket yesterday disclosed that findings reveal that the Chinese company carries out illegal mining in night and with the support of some officials of the state government.

    Udonsak maintained that it was against Nigeria’s extant laws and an act of disregard to Ekid for the firm to come to their territory and engage in mining without their knowledge and authorization.

    “For some time now, we have noted that a Chinese company RUITAI MINING LIMITED has been illegally mining ILMENITE on our land; located within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid), property of the Ekid people without the necessary authorization or consent of the community in breach of our extant laws.

    “This illegal mining, usually carried out in the night and its product transported out of the state in trucks clandestinely is alleged to be actively encouraged by certain elements in government.

    “As of today, neither the Chinese Company nor their agents in government, has informed the community of this ongoing illegal activity.   This action is in complete breach of extant laws”, Udonsak said.

    The Ekid people asked the firm to pay for damages its illegal mining activities have wreaked on their environment failure which they will take legal action.

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    Udonsak said: “Having painstakingly considered the foregoing and other concomitant issues, we strictly demand that, RUITAI MINING LIMITED, the Chinese company illegally engaged in mining on our land should discontinue their trespass forthwith, abate the nuisance and pay for damages occasioned by their trespass.

    “Akwa Ibom State Government should investigate the illegal activities of RUITAI MINING LIMITED and its collaborators in government and call them to order and find ways of ameliorating the already despicable situation.

    “All parties involved in this clandestine land grab incident should be rightly informed of our incontestable title to the said land and should be so guided.”

  • Illegal mining activities going on in Benue communities, — Task Force chair

    Illegal mining activities going on in Benue communities, — Task Force chair

    The chairman of Benue State Tax Force on Illegal Mining,  Engr. ( Dr) Comfort Akwanya Adadu, said a lot of illegal mining activities are being carried out in Benue communities.

    Worried by the activities of illegal miners, Governor Hyacinth Alia, had on assumption of office, set up a task force to work out a framework to sanitise the sector.

    Briefing newsmen, the chairman of the task force, Dr. Adadu said Benue has huge mineral deposits across the 23 local government areas that are presently in the hands of illegal miners.

    She said there was a need for license to be issued to companies or individuals who wants to carry out mining activities, so that the state can generate revenue.

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    “Presently, there are no guidelines for mining, as even under-age children from Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs are involved in digging a huge pit in the name of mining, which poses danger to their health.”

    She stated that if the activities of miners are regulated, the government could generate huge revenue from solid minerals which are in almost every local government area in the state.

    “There is also a need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and implementation of corporate social responsibility with the host community at the mining site, so that they have a sense of belonging.

    Benue is the 6th state in the North Central with solid minerals and there is need for the government to position the sector to create employment and alleviate poverty, as well as stop urban migration by youths.

    Secretary of the task force, Hon. Andrew Kputu, and Legal Adviser, Barrister Denen Kwen, in separate comments, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for the bold steps he has taken to re-position the sector.

  • Illegal mining: ‘Environmental disaster looms in Enugu’

    Illegal mining: ‘Environmental disaster looms in Enugu’

    Enugu State Government has raised the alarm over the looming environmental disaster caused by illegal mining activities in some parts of the state.

    Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, made this known while carrying out environmental assessment and enforcement of the state order, sealing off the sites of the illegal mining activities at Nsude and Akwuke communities, both in Udi and Enugu South local governments.

    He lamented the extensive damage illegal coal miners had done to the environment.

    The commissioner, who is the chairman of the Committee on Review of Mining Activities in Enugu State, had led a team of experts alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Kingsley Nnaji, to  the mining sites in the state.

    He said the illegal deforestation, diversion of water bodies and degradation of hundreds of hectares by the miners could trigger ecological disaster if nothing was done to prevent further unregulated mining activities.

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    According to him, “it is unfortunate that this kind of damage is going on in Enugu State without the approval of the Enugu State Government. It is very very sad. The government is not happy about it, and we will continue this way till we close all the mining sites in Enugu State. It has caused a lot of ecological damage.

    “It will take many years for Enugu State to recover from this humongous damage on our environment.

    “We are really worried about what is going on, and we are sealing them. These criminal acts are unacceptable. There will be no more activities here. We will be monitoring them morning and evening and ensure the places we have sealed off are not tampered with.”

    However, Prof. Ugwu, while serving a letter of invitation on the miners, said those with genuine mining licences, approvals and other evidence of compliance with the standard practice should visit the state government for verification.

    He called on genuine investors who are willing to invest in the energy and minerals sector of the economy to approach the state through the laid down process, saying the government was interested in making the state attractive for investors by derisking investment flow.

  • Illegal mining: Zamfara gov orders shoot on sight

    Illegal mining: Zamfara gov orders shoot on sight

    Zamfara governor, Dauda Lawal, has banned illegal mining activities in the state and ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators.

    This was contained in a statement issued on yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) Sulaiman Bala Idris.

    Over the years, illegal mining in Zamfara State has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities, the  statement said.

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    Governor Lawal noted that it’s time to end the destructive activity and implement measures to protect the safety and well-being of the people. He stressed that security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot on sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining.

    He said: “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.

    “It is also a swift action to enable the state government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people.

    “Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara State. We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.”