A collective of 40 civil society organizations has issued a warning to those involved in illegal mining activities in Nigeria, urging them to vacate their sites immediately.
Led by Amb. Melvin Ejeh, the Executive Director of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), the coalition emphasized the need to halt illegal mining operations across Nigeria.
Ejeh commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for taking action to revoke mineral titles held by defaulters. Alake recently announced the revocation of 1,633 mineral titles due to unpaid annual fees.
This decision stemmed from the Mining Cadastral Office’s initiation, on October 4, 2023, of the revocation process for 2,213 titles, including exploration titles, small-scale mining licenses, quarry licenses, and mining leases.
The minister clarified that these titles were revoked because holders failed to pay the prescribed annual service fees within the stipulated time frame.
Despite a 30-day default notice from the Mining Cadastre Office, holders were found in violation and non-compliance with their governmental obligations.
Ejeh lauded the minister’s actions, considering it a long-overdue positive development within the mining industry. This sentiment was expressed in a joint statement signed by Ejeh; Engr. Bashir Dan Zaria, the National Coordinator of the Center for Justice and Good Governance in Africa; Dr. (Mrs.) Remi Edun on behalf of Community Action for Development (CAD); Dr. Ngozi Amechi of National Women Empowerment Network (NAWOEN); and Engr. Goni Sheriff, the Executive Director of Access to Good Governance Initiative.
The statement reads partly: “It’s high time that players engaging in illegal and fraudulent mining activities in Nigeria’s mining sector were stopped from their illicit activities.”
