FG gives illegal miners 30-day ultimatum to join cooperative, threatens clampdown

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, on Sunday, issued a 30-day ultimatum to illegal miners to join a miners’ cooperative or look for another vocation.

The minister made the directive during the unveiling of the ‘Agenda for the Transformation of the Solid Minerals for International Competitiveness and Domestic Prosperity’ in Abuja, adding that the ministry will soon introduce a security tax force and mines policy that will help the country combat illegal mining and smuggling.

The minister also warned that after the expiration of the 30-day grace, there will be a clampdown by security agencies.

He said, “For the last time, let me declare that the ministry is giving such persons 30 days to join a miners’ co-operative or find another vocation.”

“On the expiration of the period, the total weight of the law will fall on anyone seen on a mining site without a determinable status.

“This message will be interpreted into Nigerian languages and broadcast on the radio to ensure no one is ignorant of this directive.

“From October, a rejuvenated security regime will become active in the solid minerals sector. This will include the mine police, sourced from the Nigerian police and specially trained to detect illegal mining and apprehend offenders.

“The new mines surveillance security task force will coordinate the mines police and proactively address high-risk incidences of breach of mining laws.

“The federal and state governments will also be encouraged to allocate the prosecution of cases against illegal miners to competent courts.”