Niger Government lifts ban on mining, introduces new conditions

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 -The Niger State Government has announced the conditional suspension of its year-long ban on mining activities, a restriction originally imposed by Governor Umaru Bago to address growing insecurity in the region. The decision to lift the ban was revealed by Acting Governor Yakubu Garba during a briefing at the Government House in Minna.

 The suspension comes with stringent conditions aimed at curbing illegal mining and reducing revenue losses. Mining companies wishing to resume operations in the state must now undergo a mandatory profiling process through the State Ministry of Mineral Resources. This process is designed to enhance the state government’s ability to monitor mining activities, enforce compliance with regulations, and prevent illegal practices.

To further strengthen the state's oversight, the acting governor also inaugurated a task force dedicated to tackling illegal mining across Niger State. The task force is composed of representatives from relevant government and security agencies, as well as community leaders. Their responsibilities include identifying illegal miners, eradicating child labour in mining sites, and verifying the legitimacy of mineral titles held by licensees.

Data from the mining cadastre office indicates that Niger State has issued a total of 578 mineral titles, with a significant 369 of them, or 81.46%, granted for gold mining. The local government areas of Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi, known for their rich gold deposits, have also been hotspots for banditry, a major factor that led to the initial mining ban.

The state government had previously linked the widespread banditry in these areas to mining activities, prompting the restriction a year ago. With the conditional suspension now in place, the government aims to balance economic development through mining with the need for enhanced security and regulatory oversight.

The task force is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that the conditions attached to the suspension are strictly adhered to, thereby fostering a safer and more controlled mining environment in Niger State.