The Nasarawa State Government has ordered all miners operating within the state to follow due process in acquiring necessary approvals to commence mining operations throughout the state.
This the state government said is a must for all mining companies, saying that illegal miners have contributed to the deteriorating security challenges facing the country.
Garba Rosha, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources while giving the order said the recent arrest of over one hundred and nine illegal miners in Nasarawa Eggon local government area of the state was worrisome.
According to him, illegal miners have constituted alot of challenges ranging from kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality in areas they operate hence the decision of the state government to come up with a strategic plan to have a secure data of all miners operating within the state.
“Any moment we have been hearing about other mining activities that is happening in other states where by because of mining or other activities related to mining so see there alot of insecurity but for this state as the state Governor Abdullahi Sule is more concerned about security, therefore he usually make sure that issue of security is being tackled.for the fact that he made us to be collaborating with all the security agencies in the state”, said Rosha.
He said the data collected will enable the state to be monitoring the activities of miners as a way of ensuring that they follow the approved rules and regulations governing the conduct of mining operations.
