Borno bans mining activities over ‘fragile security situation’

The Borno government has placed a ban on all mining activities in the state.

In a statement on Friday, Usman Tar, the commissioner for information and internal security, said the ban is owing to the “fragile security situation” in the state.

“The state government is working on mapping and securing the mining sites with a view to ensuring law, order and safety of lives,” Tar said.

“Government is also working on a governance protocol for the mining sector in the state.”

Tar said the state government will soon issue a code of conduct and standard operating procedure for the mining value chain to guide the sector.

He advised all stakeholders in the mining sector in Borno to abide by the ban warning that “any violation will attract the wrath of the law”.

The governments of Osun, Enugu, Taraba have also suspended mining activities in their respective states.

In September, the federal government issued a 30-day grace period to illegal miners in the country to join a miners’ cooperative within the period or look for another vocation.

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development who issued the directive, had said the ministry will soon introduce a security tax force and mines police that will help the country combat illegal mining and smuggling.