Kogi Bans Mining Activities After Miners’ Death

The Kogi State Government has directed the stoppage and operation of miners using crude methods of mining in the state following the death of two persons at a mining site in the Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state.

The directive was issued after the Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident at Omelewu Village in Imane and Olamaboro Local Government Areas, which are home to Exodus Mining Company Ltd and Ara Minerals Integrated Nigeria Ltd.

The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr. Bashiru Gegu, directed the stoppage of mining activities in the Imane District, adding that the methods of mining by citizens in the local government were unacceptable.

The commissioner directed the two companies that are into coal mining in the area and the citizens of the community who have resulted in mining coal illegally using the cadastral units of the two companies without their consent to stop immediately.

The commissioner sympathises with the families of those who lost their lives owing to the collapse of illegal mining activities in the area, stressing that they should use modern ways of mining to avoid further occurrences.

The commissioner added that the Kogi State Government has directed the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate and bring to book any erring citizens found engaging in illegal mining activities.