Environmental degradation: FG orders 313 mining companies to ‘stop work’

No fewer than 313 mining companies have been sanctioned by the federal government over non-fulfilment of environmental obligations.

Salim Salaam, the director, mines environmental compliance department, ministry of mines and steel development, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Salaam said the mining operators were issued sanction letters on March 20 for failing to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Programme (EPRP) and the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

He said four of the mining companies affected were given ‘stop work’ order.

According to Salaam, the ministry had warned them severally but they refused to comply with the environmental obligations.