*The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a 14-member National Taskforce Committee to draft a framework for vetting of prospective miners undertaking mining activities across the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In regard to the establishment of a specific Task Force Committee, stakeholders have said that Nigeria鈥檚 current laws for protection of the solid mineral deposits of the country will be strengthened.

As it considers illegal mining as a threat to national security, the Federal Government November 25, 2021, subsequently inaugurated a 14-member National Taskforce Committee to draft a framework that would guide mining activities in the country.

Some solid mineral deposits in Nigeria

Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.), National Security Adviser (NSA), chairs the National Taskforce Committee, agency report said.

It was gathered part of the committee鈥檚 terms of reference is the development of a framework for vetting of prospective miners who would undertake mining activities in states where mining activities are taking place.

The Taskforce is also charged with the conduct of background checks and selection of the prospective companies forwarded by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Mineral Development for mining in Zamfara and other states.

The National Security Adviser earlier at the inauguration of the committee, noted that he is optimistic that some of the security challenges, which informed the decision to ban mining activities in Zamfara, Plateau, and other states of the Federation, would be curtailed once the committee comes up with a framework.

Report indicates Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, Honourable Minister for Mines and Steel Development, November 2019, informed the National Economic Council (NEC), in Abuja, that the Federal Government had resuscitated the Presidential Mines Surveillance Taskforce to curb illegal mining and environmental degradation.

The Minister noted that the Taskforce operates in all states of Nigeria, and it is responsible for plugging revenue leakages and institutionalising of the National Council of Mining, and Mineral Resources Development.

Illegal mining activities, national security and loss of revenue

绿帽献妻 reports the Nigerian authorities have said these policies and decisions in the mining industry are indicative of the relationship between illegal mining and threat to the country鈥檚 national security.

It was gathered stated that the connection between the two was further emphasised when, the NSA March 2021, announced the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare Zamfara State a 鈥榥o-fly zone鈥� while banning mining activities with immediate effect.

The threat posed by illegal mining reportedly prompted the Presidency in a statement, to declare the number of illegal miners across the country at 20,000, and stressed that the menace had become a national security threat.

The statement said: 鈥淏eyond the problems of bandits and cattle rustlers, the scale of lawlessness has been aggravated by illegal miners who are harvesting resources they have no legal rights to exploit.

鈥淥fficial statistics suggest that there are more than 20,000 such miners undermining this important part of the economy, operating in a manner that is extraordinarily harmful and destructive. The result is chaos.鈥�

Under Environmental Security, the National Security Strategy (NSS, 2019), a policy document designed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to coordinate national security, illegal mining and other environmental activities were captured.

The NSS stated: 鈥淥ur mission is to protect and conserve the environment by preventing and mitigating natural and anthropogenic threats to environmental security and sustainability.

鈥淭his we will seek to achieve by exploiting environmental resources through international best practices in a sustainable manner and protecting Nigeria鈥檚 unique biodiversity.鈥�

Illegal mining does not only threaten the lives and livelihood of rural dwellers, it also provides illicit financial flows which are increasingly linked to terrorism and banditry, report said.

Likewise, security experts apparently said that available analysis of media contents showed that some of those who sponsor illegal mining also fund banditry and cattle rustling in mining communities in order to incite violence among cattle breeders and rearers.

According to Maurice Ogbonnaya of the Institute for Security Studies, 鈥淐onflicts displace people and create opportunities for illegal miners to operate.

鈥淢any media reports blame the conflicts in the region on rural banditry, without addressing its links to illegal mining.

The expert stated: 鈥淚llegal gold mining drives rural banditry and violent local conflicts in some parts of Nigeria.

鈥淭his includes the North West, North Central and to some extent South West regions.鈥�

It is estimated that about 80 percent of mining in the North-West region is carried out illegally and in a non-mechanised way by the local population.

Besides, the indiscriminate and uncertified use of explosives at those illegal mining sites constitutes a violation of Nigeria鈥檚 law on arms and explosives control, according to report.

Consequently, President Buhari September this year transmitted an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, seeking to control proliferation of arms and to regulate the importation of explosives into the country.

The bill seeks to repel the 1964 Explosive Act and enact a new law which will regulate the manufacture, storage, possession, use, distribution, purchase, sale, transportation, importation and exportation of explosives, and other related matters in Nigeria.

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is responsible for issuing licences for explosives meant for mining and construction uses, with additional security checks carried out by ONSA through End User Certification.

However, Uche Ogah, Minister of State for Mines and Steel, recently disclosed that Nigeria loses $9billion annually to illegal mining and smuggling of gold.

The Minister identified inadequate manpower and low level of technology as some of the major challenges faced in the fight against illegal mining in the country.

Kindly Share This Story