… Calls for probe of recent gold mining landslide in Niger state
Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted June 19, 2024
The Urban-Rural Environmental Advocacy (U-REA) has lamented that lithium mining is fast becoming a significant concern in Nigeria as a result of the growing demand for the mineral in the global market.
God’spower Martins, the Executive Director of U-REA, while interacting with Journalists in Abuja, noted with concern that mining operations, legal and illegal, have led to very worrisome environmental degradation, deforestation, and highly disturbing plights of host communities.
“While we are terribly troubled about the very worrisome trend of destructive mining that should not be allowed to continue, especially in the heart of the seat of power, Abuja, Urban-Rural Environmental Advocacy (U-REA), publicly known as Urban-Rural Environmental Defenders (U-RED), applauds the government’s decision to close the lithium mining site at Guabe posing serious environmental, health and socio-economic risks to the host community and nearby communities on 30th May, 2024 in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by officials of the Mining Marshal Corp, inaugurated on March 21 by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, as part of efforts to combat illegal mining and sanitize the sector.
“It is a highly commendable move in the right direction. And we urge continued action to ensure that mining activities in the FCT and Nigeria are safe and responsible.
“However, we condemn in the strongest terms the recent gold mining landslide at Galadimakogo in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state which has resulted in the loss of over fifty precious lives and further devastation of the environment.
“The general trauma and plight of the big and small in the host community are better imagined.
“The questions we may all have to ask are, were there no signs? How long has the unregulated mining been happening?
“Are environmental agencies of government aware of the socio-environmental harm happening in the community?
“If they are aware, why was the harmful activity allowed to continue? Thorough independent investigations should be conducted to determine the root causes of the incident as the landslide incident at the local mining site in Niger State, is a tragic reminder of unregulated mining practices recklessly happening in Nigeria, the importance of prioritizing safety, host communities rights and environmental responsibility in the mining industry.
“Niger state mining landslide is not the first in recent times. It happened in Abuja in late 2023 where over thirty illegal miners were killed, in Bauchi, four illegal miners were also killed when a mining site collapsed and three were killed in a mining site that collapsed in Benue, just to name but a few.
“We urge stakeholders to take immediate action to prevent more catastrophic incidents in the future.
Still speaking on the issue, Executive Director of U-REA, said, “While we acknowledge the government’s efforts to sanitize mining operations and generate revenue, we are dismayed that the approach fails to capture or prioritize the concerns of host communities, mine workers and environmental protection.
“The closure of the lithium mining site must be followed by a thorough investigation into the environmental and social impacts of mining in the area, and the government must take concrete steps to address the plights of affected communities”.
God’spower Martins urged the government to adopt a more holistic approach to mining reform, one that prioritizes the needs of host communities, mine workers, protects the environment, and ensures that the revenue generated from legal mining benefits all Nigerians, not just a select few.
“The government must do better to ensure that mining operations in Nigeria are responsible and prioritize the well-being of people and the planet.
“As we mourn the victims of gold mining landslide and sympathize with the affected communities and families in Niger state, we call for justice, accountability, and a commitment to responsible mining practices that prioritize people and the environment in Nigeria.
” The mining company, African Minerals and Logistics Ltd, owner of the gold mine in Galadimakogo community should provide adequate support and compensation to affected families. Stringent penalties should be imposed on individuals and companies engaging in illegal mining and mining violations.
“All hands must be on deck to continue to work tirelessly to protect the environment and ensure that mining operations comply with regulatory standards in Nigeria”, he concluded.