The Nigerian Government says its ongoing crackdown on illegal mining across Nigeria has combined enforcement actions with stakeholder engagement, resulting in the formation of more than 300 mining cooperatives aimed at formalising artisanal mining activities.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja on the sidelines of the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards.
Alake explained that the government adopted a two-pronged strategy to sanitise the mining sector, combining strict enforcement against non-compliant operators with dialogue and formalisation programmes for artisanal miners.
He noted that while the coercive strategy targets operators who refuse to comply with mining regulations, the persuasive approach focuses on educating and integrating artisanal miners into the formal system through cooperative societies.
According to him, hundreds of illegal mining operators have already been arrested, while more than 142 suspects are currently facing prosecution in courts across the country.
Alake said the cooperative model allows artisanal miners to operate legally, access financing, acquire equipment and contribute to government revenue through royalties and taxes.
He disclosed that over 300 cooperatives have so far been established under the initiative, helping to reduce illegal mining activities and improve compliance within the sector.
The minister warned that operators who refuse to embrace the formalisation process would continue to face enforcement action from mining marshals deployed by the government.
On security concerns surrounding illegal mining, Alake confirmed that some foreign nationals arrested during operations are currently facing prosecution, while those suspected of links to terrorism financing have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector, strengthening regulation and promoting local value addition as part of broader efforts to drive industrial growth, job creation and increased revenue generation.
