MINERS’ DEATH: GOLD CAN BE FOUND ON STREETS AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL IN NIGER – UMAR BAGO
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has said the state is rich in alluvial gold deposits, noting that gold could be found on the streets in some areas after heavy rainfall.
Bago made the remarks while speaking with the media on illegal mining activities in the state and the challenges of regulating mining operations.
The governor said the state government does not have a comprehensive database of illegal miners, adding that licensed operators would be profiled to identify those involved in mining activities and strengthen security across the state.
“For illegal mining, there’s no database. So these people who are licensed would come forward for profiling because we want to know who is mining in Niger State, and that is because we need to maintain the security of our land,” Bago said.
He explained that those involved in illegal mining were not limited to artisanal miners, but also included operators working in areas where mining activities were prohibited.
“However, the people we are talking about are not just artisanal miners, but they are artisanal and operating in illegal spaces.
“These spaces are not allowed for them to do. Probably, somebody, you know, Niger State is endowed, we have alluvial gold everywhere. When it rains heavily, you can pick gold on the street, that is given.
“So these people will find a place where you have a huge quantity of this alluvial deposit, and they will try to start mining. And this is why they are illegal because they are not registered by law. They are not registered with the association. They don’t even have a directory. There’s no database to ascertain who, who, and who.”
Bago’s comments came amid concerns over illegal mining in Niger State following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The incident has renewed questions about the regulation of mining sites, identification of operators and the responsibilities of relevant authorities.
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