Illegal Mining: 374 Sites Uncovered Across 17 States As Deadly Pits, Child Labour, Insecurity Spread

…156 reported dead as Mining Marshals shut 108 sites, arrest 743 suspects — FG

Daud Olatunji

Nigeria’s illegal mining crisis is deepening, with 374 unauthorised mining sites uncovered across 17 states, while at least 156 deaths have been reported in mining-related incidents, highlighting growing concerns over public safety, environmental degradation, child labour and national security.

The development has heightened fears that the country’s vast mineral resources are increasingly being exploited outside regulatory controls, with security agencies and lawmakers warning that illegal mining is no longer merely an economic or environmental offence.

In some parts of the North-West and North-Central, illegal mining has been linked by authorities and security experts to wider security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The Federal Government has responded with enforcement operations, prosecutions and efforts to formalise artisanal mining, but the persistence of illegal operations suggests that significant gaps remain in regulation and enforcement.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, recently disclosed that the Mining Marshals had identified 374 illegal mining sites, cleared 108, arrested 743 suspects and prosecuted 165 cases involving 430 accused persons, with five convictions secured.

The Mining Marshals, established under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been deployed to identify and shut illegal sites, arrest suspects and protect licensed mining areas.

But the illegal mining economy extends beyond the miners seen digging pits.

Investigations cited by Sunday Vanguard indicate a complex network involving artisanal miners, labourers, mineral buyers, middlemen, financiers, processors and, in some instances, foreign nationals.

Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in unauthorised mining and mineral trading.

Alake said in May that more than 327 people, including foreign nationals, had been arrested for illegal mining, while some cases involving suspected links to terrorism were referred to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The minister also said about 3,000 mining licences had been revoked as part of efforts to sanitise the sector.

Chinese nationals have featured prominently in some recent enforcement operations.

In May, the NSCDC Mining Marshals arraigned 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal lithium mining in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Four Chinese nationals were also arrested in September at Maiya’aki, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, over alleged unauthorised mining activities at a site where they reportedly lacked valid licences.

An EFCC court filing has also alleged the involvement of Chinese and Nigerian nationals in the illegal extraction and trading of mica and lithium, with some minerals allegedly moved to Ogun State for processing and export through Lagos.

The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings where applicable.

Zamfara remains one of the states at the centre of Nigeria’s illegal gold-mining crisis.