Senate vows to stop illegal mining

The Nigerian Senate has pledged to tackle illegal mining, citing its impact on national revenue and security, and has committed to introducing legislation to establish a safer, regulated mining sector.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Sampson Ekong, made this announcement during a recent fact-finding mission to Niger State, following a tragic mining pit collapse that resulted in approximately 30 deaths.

The senator highlighted that these illicit activities, often conducted with rudimentary methods and minimal safety oversight, not only hinder the development of the mining industry but also jeopardize public health and environmental stability.

Addressing the issue, Ekong highlighted that unregulated and illegal mining operations pose a major obstacle to realizing Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar minerals sector, as unauthorized miners often use unsafe and environmentally harmful practices, adding that curbing illegal mining could generate significant revenue, diversify the economy, and greatly enhance Nigeria’s GDP.

He expressed the Senate’s readiness to advance reforms that will both secure the sector and enhance its contribution to national economic resilience.