The Federal Government has issued a stern directive for all illegal miners in Zamfara State to immediately vacate mining sites, halting all mineral exploration activities until new standard operating procedures are introduced.
This announcement follows reports of a lead poisoning outbreak in Bugundu Local Government Area, which Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described as both preventable and deeply troubling.
Dr. Alake stated that the six-year ban on mining in Zamfara should have prevented such an incident, stressing that the continued activities of illegal miners suggest a breakdown of enforcement at the grassroots level.
“There’s no justification for lead poisoning under an active mining ban. What this shows is that some traditional rulers and local authorities have allowed illegal mining to thrive, in direct contravention of federal directives,” the Minister said during a press briefing in Abuja.
The Minister criticized what he called “wilful negligence” on the part of local institutions and emphasized their role in upholding federal laws.
“Our revered traditional institutions and local authorities, which are funded by the federation account, have a duty to enforce government policies. When they fail, the consequences can be devastating, as we are witnessing in Bugundu,” he added.
In response to the crisis, Dr. Alake revealed that a team of experts and ministry officials have been deployed to assess the situation and recommend immediate interventions to contain the outbreak and prevent future occurrences.
He praised the Zamfara State Government for its swift deployment of emergency services and called for closer collaboration between state and federal actors.
“We must unite to flush out illegal miners who endanger the lives of innocent citizens in their reckless quest for profit,” he said.
To address the broader issues in the sector, the Ministry is finalizing a comprehensive framework that will govern mining operations in the state. These standard operating procedures will cover licensing, community development agreements, environmental remediation, and mineral beneficiation protocols.
Furthermore, Dr. Alake reiterated that the Federal Government has approved the use of satellite surveillance to monitor mining activities nationwide, a move aimed at curbing illegal operations and ensuring compliance across the sector.
As the government takes steps to reform the mining sector, civil society organizations are calling for transparent implementation, community engagement, and long-term environmental
Safeguards to protect vulnerable populations from future demages.
