…As the Governments Invites Miners for Certification
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Illegal mining has been a major problem in Gombe state and other parts of Nigeria, causing environmental degradation, loss of revenue, and significant health risks to individuals involved in the practice as well as loss of lives.
However, while the practice rages on, the Paramount ruler (Bala) of Waja Chiefdom in Balanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe State, Muhammad Danjuma Muhammad, has commended the Federal and Gombe State governments for stepping up efforts to tackle illegal mining in the state.
Balanga LGA had been a hub of illegal mining, housing hundreds of illegal miners from within and outside the state as well as other neighboring countries. According to the Bala Waja, activities of illegal mining have claimed over two lives in the past few years in the area as well as other harms to the environment and the communities.
The royal father disclosed this while speaking during a sensitization and enforcement visit by the Federal Mines Officer in Gombe, Engr. Zakari Adamu and the state commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Ahmad Pindiga to the various mining sites in LGA.
He commended the governments recognizing their efforts in stepping up to address the issue. He said, “We have been calling and appealing for the government’s intervention in addressing the illegal act and to ensure that natural resources are mined and sold through appropriate channels. That would help the governments in revenue generation and ensure safety and security and also create job opportunities. There are a lot of benefits in tackling this illegal mining”.
He added that the recent collaboration and joint operation by the federal and state governments to shut down illegal mining activities in Gombe state is highly commendable. The royal father acknowledged that the actions were a step in the right direction. However, he further stated that more efforts must be made to ensure that all illegal mining activities are stamped out.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Daily Sun Engr. Adamu disclosed that the joint operation was designed to put an end to the illegal mining activities that had been taking place in the state and to enforce the laws and regulations governing mining activities in Nigeria. He assured that the team is committed to ensuring that the act is tackled and that due process is properly followed by the miners and their buyers.
Adamu disclosed that the most of illegal miners identified in the area are engaged in mining ‘Corundum’, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. “We have ordered the miners to shut down their activities and to come forward for licensing and proper paperwork. This is to ensure their safety and well-being, it is also to ensure that they get the right value for whatever they are mined,” Adamu told Daily Sun.
Addressing a number of the miners at one of the illegal mining sites around Ludu stream in Kulani ward in Balanga LGA of Gombe state, the Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ahmad Pindiga, revealed that illegal mining is a criminal offense and that it goes against all laws of the land. He said, “It is essential and very important for you to look for ways to legalize your dealing to avoid being on the wrong side of the law.
“I believe none of you is getting paid the right amount for your hard work, your buyers are just exploiting you and taking advantage of your illegality to enrich themselves. They will not in any way come to your rescue when you are arrested, therefore it is very important that you take advantage of this our friendly visit and sensitization to do the right thing.
Our next visit will not be in this manner, our next visit to any illegal mining sites, will be to arrest and prosecute anybody found breaking the law. We will no longer allow illegal mining and its dangers on people and communities,” Pindiga stated while adding that the process of acquiring certification for mining is very simple and has been made very easy in the state.
“Benefits of the certification include having access to the markets and best value, so, we are calling on all stakeholders those interested to come together to ensure that the right thing is done for the benefit of all,” Pindiga added.