Enugu State Nigeria kicks off action against illegal mining

The Enugu State Government in Nigeria has commenced action against illegal mining activities and those operating without proper environmental impact certifications and mitigation plans. Prof. Sam Ugwu, the Chairman, Enugu State Committee on Mining Activities confirmed the report and said the committee’s mission is to seal illegal mining sites that do not comply with state government regulations.

The committee which was set up this month, will verify the validity of mining licenses claimed by operators and examine their environmental fees remittance to the Enugu State Government. The Commissioner warned that failure to comply with the directives may result in arrest and prosecution in the state Environmental Protection Court.

Illegal mining

Among the sites that started of the action program included a mining site owned by Milhouse Ltd. in Awhum, Udi Local Government Area. The committee performed firsthand inspection of mining and found various infringements, including environmental degradation and blasting without proper approvals and regulations. The miners were suspected of not remitting staff tax and pension contributions to the state government, despite deducting them from their employees. African Pits and Quarries Ltd was also served a notice to stop operations and report to the Government House on a specified date.

“Our mission is basically to seal, on behalf of the state government, mining activities that do not have any recourse to the state government.  Importantly, want to find out the mitigating plans they have in place. We are very much interested in what happens to these host communities and their environs many years after these miners have closed shop. If you take a look at the Niger Delta, the people are still suffering greatly from environmental degradation caused by oil exploration activities of many decades ago. Enugu powered the industries of Europe and beyond at some point through this same coal. Today, our environment is still bearing the scars and brunt of those mining activities. So, we will not fold our hands and watch that happen all over again,” said Prof. Sam Ugwu.