Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Nasarawa State Government has prohibited anyone below the age of 18 from participating in mining activities across the state’s 13 local government areas.
The government has also established a special monitoring and enforcement team to clamp down on illegal mining and the use of children as labourers at mining sites.
The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, announced the measures on Friday at a press conference in Lafia.
Elayo said the government was taking action amid concerns over the dangers associated with unregulated mining, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in neighbouring Niger State.
She said authorities would no longer permit young people or other individuals to engage in illegal mining activities that could endanger lives and worsen environmental degradation.
The commissioner said the newly established team had been authorised to inspect mining communities and sites, identify operators working without the necessary licences and government clearance, and arrest violators.
According to Elayo, the measures are aimed at sanitising the mining sector, protecting children and curbing the exploitation of minors at artisanal mining sites.
She expressed particular concern over information received from mining communities in Wamba, Nasarawa-Eggon and Kokona Local Government Areas, where children were allegedly being exposed to health risks and missing out on education because of mining activities.
“Henceforth, no child below the age of 18 is allowed to be found at any mining site in Nasarawa State, either as a labourer, errand runner or food vendor.
“Any company, site operator or parent found violating this directive will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the Child Rights Law and the mining regulations,” she said.
Elayo urged mining companies to employ only adults aged 18 and above, provide appropriate training and ensure workers have the necessary protective equipment.
She also advised parents against taking their children to mining sites, warning that the activity poses significant safety and health risks.
“The state government will work with the security agencies, traditional rulers and other community leaders to enforce the ban and ensure compliance.
“We are also working with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and relevant agencies to formalise artisanal miners into cooperatives for better regulation and safety,” she added.
The commissioner stressed that the directive was not intended to halt mining in Nasarawa but to promote safer, responsible and sustainable operations.
Nasarawa has significant deposits of solid minerals, including lithium, tin and gold, which have contributed to the growth of artisanal mining activities across the state.
The announcement came shortly after 37 suspected illegal miners arrested in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages in Niger State died in NSCDC custody. The circumstances surrounding the deaths are under investigation.
