By Stephen Simon
The Federal Government is expected to intensify efforts to curb illegal mining across Nigeria as authorities move to protect the country’s vast mineral resources, improve revenue generation and tackle the growing insecurity linked to unregulated mining activities.
Illegal mining has remained a major challenge in several states, including Zamfara State, Niger State, Kaduna State, Kwara State and Osun State, where valuable minerals such as gold, lithium and tin are extracted without government approval. Security agencies say the activities have deprived the country of significant revenue while contributing to environmental degradation and violent conflicts in some mining communities.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has continued to implement reforms aimed at sanitising the mining sector. These include strengthening licensing procedures, deploying technology to monitor mining operations and encouraging investors to operate within the legal framework. The ministry has also reiterated its commitment to attracting responsible investment into Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
In recent months, security agencies have stepped up enforcement operations against illegal miners, leading to the arrest of suspects and the seizure of mining equipment in different parts of the country. Officials say the crackdown is intended to dismantle criminal networks that exploit mineral resources while threatening the safety of host communities.
Experts believe the solid minerals sector holds enormous potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from dependence on oil. They argue that improving regulation, increasing transparency and ensuring that host communities benefit from mining activities will help unlock the sector’s full economic value.
Community leaders and environmental groups have also called for stronger measures to address land degradation, pollution and unsafe mining practices. They say illegal mining often leaves behind abandoned pits and contaminated water sources, posing long-term health and environmental risk
