The Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of illegal and non-compliant mining sites operating in Gada Daya and Gada Eregi along Bida Road areas of the state.
The directive followed a joint inspection carried out by the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Leading the delegation, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, said operators without valid federal licenses and state documentation would not be allowed to continue operations.
He said all mining operators must obtain licenses from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and complete mandatory profiling and registration with the state ministry.
“No operator should commence or continue mining activities without proper licensing and documentation,” Danjuma said.
The inspection team included the Federal Mines Officer for Niger State, Engr. Henry Bolarinwa; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Idris A. Legbo; directors and senior officials of the ministry; representatives of Zuma Development Company Niger State led by Dr Abubakar Abubakar and security personnel.
Speaking during the engagement with miners, mineral dealers and host community members, Engr Bolarinwa warned that the next phase of enforcement would involve arrests and prosecution of defaulters.
He urged 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 with federal licensing requirements and complete state documentation.
Representatives of the miners and dealers pledged to comply with the directives within the stipulated timeframe.
The joint operation is part of efforts by the state and federal governments to curb illegal mining and enforce regulatory compliance in the solid minerals sector.
