The Federal Government says all mining activities in Zamfara state are still on hold until a standard operating procedures guidelines are released for the resumption of exploration in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the special assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals development, Segun Tomori in Abuja.
The statement explains that this follow reports of
recent lead poisoning in Bugundu Local Government Area of the State.
According to the statement the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr Dele Alake, stresses that the ban on mining in the state in the last six years meant there shouldn’t have been any reason for lead poisoning.
The statement says the outbreak was evidence that traditional and local institutions allowed illegal miners to operate in their areas in flagrant violation of the ban.
“Every citizen should obey the laws and regulations established by constituted authorities. Our revered traditional institutions and local authorities, which are funded from the federation accounts, have an even higher responsibility to enforce government directives”
“However, where they demonstrate wilful negligence and abdicate their responsibilities, they perpetrate a state of anomie with dire consequences, as we are witnessing in this case” he notes
“To mitigate the situation, experts and ministry officials’ reports will recommend specific interventions enabling us to stave off future calamities, he states.
It commends the Zamfara state government for deploying emergency services to the area and called for more collaboration between the state and officials of the Ministry in the state.
“We must work together to kick out illegal miners from all corners to protect the lives of innocent citizens endangered by the desperation of a few individuals to make money at all costs”
The statement emphasizes that the Ministry will soon release comprehensive standard operating procedures to guide the resumption of mining in Zamfara.
“The procedures will address cases of existing holders of mining licensess and fresh applicants, compliance with community development agreements, and beneficiation and remediation efforts to overhaul the mining sector in the state.
It adds that the recent approval of the deployment of satellite technology to monitor mining nationwide will put an end to illegal mining and other sharp practices in the sector.
By Georgina Humphrey
