Communities endangered as insecurity, illegal mining threaten Niger’s solid mineral sector

Niger State’s propulsion to make its coagulated minerals assemblage faces a large setback arsenic insecurity keeps morganatic miners distant from immoderate mineral-rich areas, portion amerciable operators are progressively digging astir homes and different residential areas successful hunt of gold.

Miners accidental kidnappings successful mining areas person forced companies to suspend exploration and walk millions of naira paying ransom for workers, portion residents successful parts of Minna are present dealing with excavations they accidental are damaging homes, places of worship and the environment.

The concern has besides raised concerns astir the state’s quality to summation gross from mining, enforce regulations and support communities wherever mineral deposits are being exploited.

Miners wage for licences but cannot work

Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, Niger State chapter, Abdulrazak Yusuf Mohammed, told DAILY POST that insecurity was affecting mining operations successful astir 17 of the state’s 25 section authorities areas wherever members operate.

Mohammed explained that astir exploration activitie...