Niger Govt Shuts Down Illegal Mining Sites In Gada Daya, Gada Eregi

The Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of illegal and non-compliant mining sites operating in Gada Daya and Gada Eregi along the Bida Road corridor.

The directive followed a joint inspection carried out by the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Leading the delegation, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, stated that operators without valid federal licenses and state documentation would no longer be allowed to operate.

He emphasized that all mining firms must obtain approvals from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and complete mandatory profiling with the state ministry before beginning or continuing operations.
“No operator should carry out mining activities without proper licensing and documentation,” Danjuma said.

The inspection team included the Federal Mines Officer for Niger State, Henry Bolarinwa; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Idris A. Legbo; directors and senior officials; representatives of Zuma Development Company Niger State led by Abubakar Abubakar; and security personnel.

During engagements with miners, mineral dealers, and host community members, Bolarinwa warned that the next phase of enforcement would involve arrests and prosecution of violators.

He urged all operators to obtain the required licenses immediately to avoid sanctions.
Following the inspection, the Commissioner ordered that all identified illegal mining sites and unregistered mineral trading points in the affected communities be shut down until operators comply fully with federal licensing requirements and state documentation.

Representatives of the miners and dealers pledged to meet the compliance deadline.

The joint operation is part of ongoing efforts by both state and federal authorities to curb illegal mining and strengthen regulatory compliance within the solid minerals sector.

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