We Suspended Mining Activities to protect Lives, Property- Plateau Govt.

The Plateau State Technical Committee on Mining Reform has explained that the State Government’s decision to suspend mining activities in the state is to protect lives and property.

Speaking at a press conference held at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in Jos, leader of the Committee and Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Resources, Hon. Peter Gwom, said the government took the decision to also regulate mining activities in the state.

He added that the action was also borne out of the governor’s shared responsibility to protect lives and property from the escalating threats of insecurity emanating from mining activities and unregulated mining operations within the state.

“The emergence of large-scale mining industries on the Plateau was a catalyst for economic growth, serving as a backbone for industrialization, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and infrastructural development.

“However, the Indigenization Decree of the early 1970s and closure of Nigerian mining corporation led to the exit of mechanized mining outfits, leaving a vacuum that was subsequently filled by unregulated and illegal mining activities.

“Over the decades, these activities have resulted in severe land degradation, environmental pollution, increased child labour, illicit drug trade, proliferation of arms, banditry, kidnappings among other dangerous trends.” He added.

Hon. Gwom noted that in light of the disturbing trends the Governor, in consultation with stakeholders, took the bold and necessary decision to temporarily suspend mining activities in the state through Executive Order 001, 2025.

According to him, the Governor thereafter set up a technical Committee with the following responsibilities; Verification of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), Verification of title holders and mining cooperatives, Mining Communities Engagement and Sensitization.

Other responsibilities of the Committee are Advocacy on the need for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM’s) to be formalised into mining cooperatives, Generation of data on mining sites, minerals been mined and buying/processing centres and Documentation of degraded lands as a result of illegal mining activities for future reclamation efforts.

The Committee said the government aims to establish a win-win system where mining activities will benefit the Federal Government, the State and the local communities by ensuring that host communities are not exploited but rather empowered through a sustainable and legal mining framework.

“We, therefore, appeal to our highly respected traditional institutions, religious and community leaders, and licensed miners to support the temporary suspension of all mining activities in their domains as a necessary step toward restoring sanity in the sector.

“Also, Local Government Chairmen should collaborate with the Technical Committee in sensitizing citizens on the importance of legal mining and assisting artisanal miners in forming cooperatives for better economic gains.

“Our resilient and hardworking youths, who form the bulk of the mining workforce, to exercise patience and understanding during this transition period. We assure you that government is aware of the temporary hardship this may cause both workforce and companies but remains committed to safeguarding your future by ensuring that mining is conducted legally and responsibly.” The Committee noted

They called on the Federal Government Regulators to support the effort and see the action as the state synergizing with them to uphold global mining best practices.

They also appealed to Civil Society Organizations and the media to intensify sensitization efforts on the dangers of illegal mining, especially its role in causing land movements, loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental degradation.

While assuring that the committee remains open to constructive suggestions, they urge stakeholders to collaborate with the state government to see through the mining reforms with an open mind as they await further information from the committee.

Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Joyce Randap appealed to Journalists in the state to educate the citizens on the implications and the good intention of the government.