The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged community leaders, elders and local authorities in Kogi State to stop shielding illegal miners and support government efforts to protect mining communities and the environment.
Alake made the call while receiving members of the Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, who visited the ministry in Abuja to protest alleged illegal coal mining activities in their communities.
The youths, drawn from coal-producing communities in Ankpa Local Government Area, raised concerns about the environmental impact of mining activities in their areas.
The minister called on the youths to engage their elders and community leaders and persuade them to withdraw any support being given to illegal miners.
He said local cooperation was necessary to tackle activities that are damaging the environment and undermining the government’s efforts to regulate the mining sector.
Government intensifies fight against illegal mining
Alake said the Federal Government was strengthening its response to illegal mining through improved technology and increased operations by the Mining Marshals.
He commended the Kogi youths for bringing their concerns directly to the ministry and for supporting efforts to address environmental degradation associated with unlawful mining.
The minister’s comments come amid growing concerns over illegal mining across different parts of the country, particularly its impact on communities, land and water resources.
Four Chinese arrested in Niger State
Meanwhile, authorities in Niger State have arrested four Chinese nationals over an alleged unauthorised mining operation in Maiya’aki Village, Lapai Local Government Area.
The arrests followed an inspection of the mining location by the Niger State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Muhammad Danjuma, after which the state government ordered action against the operators.
The development highlights the wider challenge facing Nigeria’s mining sector, where authorities continue to investigate and shut down operations suspected of operating outside approved licences and regulations.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said it wants to formalise the mining industry, increase government revenue from solid minerals and protect host communities from the harmful effects of unregulated mining.
For Kogi communities affected by illegal coal mining, however, the immediate concern remains the protection of their environment and ensuring that mining activities are carried out within the law.
