Announcing the suspension on Monday in Government in Minna, the state capital, the state’s acting Governor, Yakubu Garba, specified the new conditions for mining companies.
The Niger State government has conditionally lifted its mining ban, initially imposed by Governor Umaru Bago a year ago.
Announcing the suspension on Monday in Government in Minna, the state capital, the state’s acting Governor, Yakubu Garba, specified the new conditions for mining companies.
Stating that companies must now undergo profiling by the State Ministry of Mineral Resources to address issues of insecurity and revenue loss, he said the process would enable the state to monitor mining activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and prevent illegal mining.
In another related development, a new task force has been established to tackle illegal mining across the state.
The task force, including members from government and security agencies as well as community leaders, will focus on identifying illegal miners, eradicating child labour at mining sites, and verifying mineral titles.
Meanwhile data from the mining cadastre office shows that Niger State has issued 578 mineral titles, with 81.46 per cent related to gold.
The largest gold deposits are in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi local government areas, which are also plagued by banditry. This link between mining and banditry contributed to the original ban.