A sudden rush for zirconium, a rare mineral used in ceramics and electronics, has turned parts of Hong LGA in Adamawa State into informal mining fields, which endangers the environment, public health, and children’s education.
The mining boom began in 2024, after Chinese road workers reportedly discovered deposits of zirconium (Zr, atomic number 40) while digging for sand in villages such as Kwakwa, Dzigayerima, Kala’a, and Dilwachira.
Residents said what started as a small roadside excavation has now become a full-blown scramble that is rapidly reshaping rural life.
From Farming to Mining
Across Hong’s agrarian communities, farming is being abandoned. Villagers now dig through riverbanks and farmland in search of zirconium, using crude methods taught by the Chinese workers.
“I earn between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000 on good days,” said Zakaria Musa, one of the local miners in Kwakwa village. “Even on bad days, I make around ₦3,000 to ₦5,000. Why should I go back to farming when I can make this much in a day?”
The mineral, locals say, is sold to middlemen who transport it to Jos, Plateau State, for processing before it is exported, mostly to China, where zirconium is used in industries.
Children Abandon School for the Mines
The lure of quick money has not spared children. At Government Secondary School, Hong, 13-year-old Easter Simon, a Junior Secondary 2 student, said she often skips classes to help her parents mine zirconium. “We go to the river to dig and wash the sand,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t go to school because we need money.”
Community members told WikkiTimes that dozens of children have joined the mines and abandoned their education and its long-term prospects.
Environmental Degradation and Health Risks
Experts warn that the uncontrolled excavation is leaving long-term damage.
Raymond Haruna, a local environmentalist conducting field surveys in the area, said continuous digging is eroding the topsoil vital for agriculture. “If this continues, the land will become infertile,” he warned. “The streams are polluted and the ecosystem is being destroyed.”
Pharmacist Nachamada Daniel, a chemist, described the situation as “a public health emergency.”
“The miners are constantly exposed to contaminated water and magnetic materials,” he said. “We are already seeing rising cases of skin infections and, over time, there will be an increase in bone and skin cancers linked to toxic exposure.”
He added that polluted water sources have triggered outbreaks of pneumonia, cholera, and other waterborne diseases in surrounding communities. “This is not just an environmental crisis — it’s a health disaster waiting to explode,” he said.
LGA Officials Respond
Officials at the Hong LGA admit the situation is becoming difficult to manage.
Adamu Nafarnda, Secretary to the Council, told WikkiTimes that authorities are working to curb illegal mining on lands without rightful ownership. “Mining by legitimate landowners is not prohibited,” he explained, “but we are deeply concerned about the health and environmental implications.”
According to him, the council has launched public awareness campaigns to discourage mining and promote education. However, he acknowledged that enforcing a total ban could provoke unrest.
“Some young adults earn between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000 daily,” Nafarnda said. “Stopping them abruptly could lead to hostility. We are urging parents to keep their children in school, but it’s a delicate balance.”
As mining activities expand, residents fear for their land, water, and livelihoods. What was once a quiet farming community is now scarred by makeshift pits and polluted streams.
“The people of Hong are at a crossroads,” Raymond said. “We must decide whether to prioritise quick profits or the future of our environment and our children.”
