Tag: Illegal mining

FG moves to strengthen mining laws, stops illegal mining

Aminu Imam
FG on mining laws

The President, Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Mrs. Rose Ndong, has said that the Federal Government has commenced the process of reviewing extant mining laws in the country. Ndong told newsmen in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state yesterday that a review of the laws that have been in existence since 2007 would give the government more control over mining activities, and reduce the incidence of illegal mining in the country. According to the president, the review o of mining laws, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Mining, would provide and strengthen…

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FG launches nationwide crackdown on oil, gold smugglers

Aminu Imam
FG launches crackdown2

The National Economic Council has said it would begin a crackdown on illegal gold miners as part of a broader strategy to safeguard Nigeria’s natural resources and boost government revenue. The move follows the Council’s decision to expand the mandate of its Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control on Thursday, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, to include the fight against illegal mining and mineral smuggling. Briefing State House correspondents after the 153rd NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,…

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‘Illegal mining funds banditry, costs Nigeria $9bn annually’ – FCT Police Commissioner

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FCT Police on Illegal mining

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, has revealed that illegal mining has become a powerful cartel-driven enterprise bankrolled by influential Nigerians, fueling banditry and costing the country an estimated $9 billion (₦13.7 trillion) annually. Speaking at a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council on: “The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media” in Abuja, Adewale described illegal mining as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous national security threats. “The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) cited that Nigeria loses up…

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‘Nigeria’s Lithium boom raises concerns’ – Stakeholders 

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Nigeria’s Lithium boom

Nigeria’s artisanal lithium mining is drawing thousands seeking fortune, but concerns over illegal operations, environmental impact, and conflicts persist.  In Nasarawa State, miners, such as Abdullahi Ibrahim Ɗanjija earn twice the minimum wage extracting the metal vital for electric batteries and mobile phones. Much of the mining is informal, with families, including children, working without permits or safety measures. Chinese companies dominate the trade, buying raw lithium and processing it locally before exporting it.  Nigeria aims to attract investment, but now requires foreign firms to set-up processing plants, a move…

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Oshiomhole reveals those behind Nigeria’s illegal mining; proffers solution

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Oshiomhole reveals

Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has pointed accusing fingers at retired Army Generals as being responsible for illegal mining in the country. The former Edo State governor made the allegation when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Sampson Ekong, submitted his 2025 Budget report before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. According to Oshiomhole, Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy would remain a mirage if the issue of illegal mining is not properly addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.  He said, “The…

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Untouchable’ Zamfara ex-Govs. fuel illegal mining and banditry – Investigation

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Zamfara ex Govs. on illegal mining2

In Zamfara State, local officials and former governors are deeply entangled in the illegal gold mining industry, contributing to the region’s lawlessness, according to an investigation by Truth Nigeria. The vice-chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Ado Adamu, disclosed that influential politicians and village chiefs facilitate illegal mining by securing federal permits under false pretenses and pressuring local miners. Despite a federal ban on mining in Zamfara to curb related violence, ex-governors have been accused of forming bogus companies to exploit the State’s resources. One former governor, now a…

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Zamfara: 11 killed by bandits seeking control of illegal mining site

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Screenshot 20240809 083649

Eleven people were killed on Wednesday, in an armed attack on an Illegal mining site in Zamfara State. According to reports, the bandits, on motorcycles, attacked the site in the Anka area of the State. Several people were also wounded in the attack. Nigeria has long faced attacks from armed gangs as well as terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the West African branch of the Daesh/ISIS, in various parts of the country. Despite a mandatory death penalty for kidnapping in Nigeria,…

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Elite frustrating efforts to stop foreign illegal miners Defence Chief

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Defence Chief on mining

Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has decried the involvement of some of the countrys elites in illegal mining activities in the country, noting that they are obstructing efforts to arrest illegal miners. Musa, who was represented by Air Vice-Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo, at an investigative hearing in Abuja, noted that when foreign nationals involved in illegal mining are apprehended, they often claim to have connections with influential individuals. According to him, these connections may lead to their release, undermining the efforts of security agencies. The Defence Chief emphasised…

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‘China, other foreign criminal gold rush in Nigeria draining resources, worsening illegal mining, security crisis’ – Report

Aminu Imam

Nigerias mining sector is being exploited by foreign criminals for decades, and the extractive sector is the most recent target. According to a recent published report, the sector is diverse in mineral resources, which make a significant contribution to the nations Gross Domestic Product. The country is endowed with an estimated $700-billion in commercially-viable minerals, giving it the capacity to diversify its revenue sources and boost foreign exchange earnings. Minerals include barite, bitumen, iron ore, lead, zinc, coal, limestone and gold. However, it faces multiple challenges and its poor performance…

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Niger Delta: NNPC discovers 54 illegal pipeline connections, 78 unlicensed refineries

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said 234 incidences of illegal connections, refineries, amongst others, were recorded in several oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region between September 9 to 15, 2023. NNPC said the total incidences recorded were higher compared with the 148 incidences of illegal connections and refineries reported between September 2 to 8, 2023. At the time, the oil firm said, eight illicit pipeline connections and unlawful refineries were uncovered. However, in its weekly war on crude oil documentary aired on national television on Tuesday, NNPC said…

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