Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has vowed to dismantle alleged network sustaining illegal mining in the state, declaring that his administration would no longer allow mineral resources exploited outside government’s regulatory framework.
Governor Kefas made the declaration during a meeting conveyed with Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Jalingo on Saturday.
The governor alleged that some government officials and security personnel were involved in facilitating illegal mining operations, which is responsible for the security challenges in some parts of the state.
He said the problem was not limited to miners operating in remote locations, alleging that some persons within official structures had become part of the illegal mining network.
“We have more illegal mining inside than those outside,” Kefas said.
He stressed that his government was determined to understand the structure behind the illegal operations and address it through stronger coordination among security agencies, regulators and mining communities.
He furrher said his administration would develop a system that would enable genuine miners to operate legally while making it easier for government agencies to identify and deal with those exploiting the state’s mineral resources illegally.
Governor Kefas also directed the miners’ association to submit a comprehensive list of equipment required by its members, including the estimated cost, saying government would seek financing support to acquire and deploy the equipment to designated mining sites.
According to him, properly equipped and registered miners would operate in designated areas, while off-takers would be encouraged to buy minerals from regulated locations, thereby improving traceability and government oversight.
The governor explained that the proposed arrangement would also provide security agencies with better information on mining activities and enable the government to distinguish genuine artisanal miners seeking a livelihood from criminal operators.
He further directed that accurate data on miners, their communities, villages, locations and operations be compiled as part of the reform, saying reliable information would be critical to protecting legitimate miners and regulating the sector.
Fovernor Kefas added that the state government was also working towards replacing unsafe mining and processing practices with safer technologies, particularly those involving mercury in gold processing.
He warned that the economic value of mineral resources could not justify practices capable of exposing miners and host communities to dangerous substances.
“Government will work with mining stakeholders across the state, to establish practical environmental and health standards for our people.
According to him, the proposed reforms would require cooperation among the state government, federal mining authorities, security agencies, financial institutions, miners’ associations and host communities.
The governor, however directed stakeholders to immediately commence work on the modalities for the new framework, insisting that the reforms must protect legitimate livelihoods while ensuring that Taraba’s mineral resources are properly regulated and contribute to the state’s development.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Association, Amb. Emmanuel George, claimed that more than 500,000 young men and women were engaged in artisanal mining in the state.
Amb. George urged the governor to reconsider the restrictions on Monazite mining, claiming that the ban had pushed more than 300,000 members of the association into illegal mining.
He alleged that despite the restriction, large quantities of Monazite continued to leave the state through informal channels, arguing that regulated mining would enable government to monitor production, create employment and generate revenue.
The association chairman said the miners were not opposed to regulation but wanted to be properly organised, recognised, trained and empowered to operate within the law.
He appealed for operational vehicles and motorcycles to enable officials and association representatives to reach mining communities across the state, saying improved monitoring would help curb illegal activities.
Amb. George, therefore pledged the association’s readiness to collaborate with government and regulatory agencies to educate miners, enforce safety standards and ensure compliance with mining laws.
The state chairperson, Women in Mining, Dr Elizabeth Elijah, called for the inclusion of women in the state’s proposed mining reforms and interventions.
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