The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Saturday sensitised communities, as well as miners in Southern Kaduna on the dangers of engaging and allowing illegal mining activities in their localities.
The Town Hall Meeting organised by the North-West office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals was held in Kafanchan, Jamaa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Zonal Mines Coordinator, Kutman Hosea-Ali, told the gathering that the ministry was committed to enhancing collaboration and understanding among all stakeholders by fostering a conducive environment for sustainable mining activities in the state.
He noted that Southern Kaduna was an emerging mining zone, hence the need for sensitisation.
He identified issues of consent, community development agreement, surface rent and environmental impact assessment as major sources of conflict between host communities and mining companies.
Ali urged mining companies to ensure they obtained the necessary mining licences and permits before mobilising people to the site.
He also enjoined artisanal miners to form a small-scale cooperative licence, to operate legally to enhance their activities.
“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 said.
Earlier, an operative from the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Eric Billy, reminded the stakeholders that illegal mining was an economic crime that must be reported and offenders made to face the consequences.
“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 said.
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.
Also speaking, the Second-in-command to the Kafanchan Police Area Command, CSP Samson Dodo, said the police would ensure that law and order are maintained at the various mining sites.
A representative of mining companies in the state, Monday Barau, attributed the poor contribution of the sector to Nigeria’s economy to illegal mining
He therefore solicited the support of stakeholders to reposition the mining sector and maximise its potential.
Among those in attendance at the one-day sensitisation meeting were different security agencies, traditional rulers, mining companies, and community and local government representatives.
