Senate panel: Nigeria losing billions of dollars to illegal mining

The senate committee on solid minerals says illegal mining has created a pathway for insecurity in Nigeria, costing the country billions of dollars.

Sampson Ekong, chairman of the committee, spoke during a visit to Umar Bago, governor of Niger, as part of an investigation into the recent mining site collapse in the state.

An unspecified number of people were trapped after a mining pit collapsed in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro local government area of Niger state, reportedly following heavy rainfall on 3rd June.

Following the incident, Abdullahi Arah, director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said rescue efforts faced challenges due to rough terrain and banditry.

On August 22, the federal government banned mining activities at sites in Shiroro attacked by suspected bandits.

Speaking at the meeting, Ekong said multi-billion dollars’ worth of minerals are lost to illegal mining.

“It is with great worry that we must acknowledge that the realisation of the projected multi-billion dollars minerals sector of Nigeria is exponentially threatened by illegal practices in the sector such as unauthorised mining with crude systems, environmental endangerment and unregulated operations with very little attention to safety or best practices in the industry,” the lawmaker said.

“These illegal, black market-styled minings have also thrown up fresh dimensions to insecurity in the country. It is thus imperative that we work together to arrest these loopholes and help reposition the sector.

“As a Senate, we are reviewing and exploring legislative interventions which will engender sustainable sectoral growth in Nigeria’s mining industry.

“The Senate will not be fettered in its commitment to stamping out illegal mining in Nigeria, as well as ensure operational sanity and adherence to standards among practitioners in the sector.”

Ekong also praised the state government and ministry of solid minerals for their swift response despite the difficult conditions at the collapse site.

He urged the state government to support the victims’ families and ensure they are adequately compensated.

BAGO TO SPONSOR BILL FOR RESPONSIBLE MINING

On his part, Bago disclosed plans to sponsor a “responsible mining” bill, noting that illegal mining had led to the loss of life and property in the state.

“Artisanal mining has cost us loss of lives, it has cost us loss of properties. It has encouraged a lot of banditry and insecurity,” the governor said.

“Yesterday, we had a meeting with stakeholders in mining in the state for us to start a new initiative that is called Responsible Mining.

“While I was in Brazil, we got this concept and how it is done so that companies, for instance, who would be given permission to do mining in communities would have to understand that there are post-mining effects.

“So, provision of potable drinking water, not the same water that is used to wash the mines, provision of health facilities, schools, even transition from mud houses to good houses.

“These are some of the initiatives in the new law we are about to pass. We are sure we will pass it, we will share it with your committee, and probably you will adopt it at the national level.

“So there is need for us to have a very responsible mining regime, both at the federal and state level.”

Bago called on the national assembly to support the responsible mining bill, affirming his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the senate committee.