The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has opposed calls to suspend mining activities in the country, arguing that banning mining is not a viable solution to security challenges.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Dele Ayankale, and National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, on Monday in Abuja, MAN stressed the distinction between legal and illegal mining.
The association made the remarks following the Northern States Governors’ Forum’s recent recommendation to suspend mining activities for six months. The governors cited the abduction of school children and rising killings in some states.
The forum had identified illegal mining as a key driver of insecurity, stating that suspending mining would allow authorities to audit and revalidate all mining licenses in consultation with state governments.
However, MAN’s President, Dele Ayankale, argued that only illegal mining fuels terrorism and other security threats, while legal operations are safe and regulated. He warned that a ban would adversely affect legitimate miners.
Ayankale noted that previous mining bans had failed to improve security. He cited the 2019 suspension of mining activities in Zamfara, which coincided with escalating banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism in the state and neighboring regions.
“Previous bans on mining did not yield positive outcomes. In fact, insecurity escalated in Zamfara and spread to Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states,” he said.
He emphasized that illegal, disorderly mining, conducted without licenses or government oversight, often facilitates money laundering and feeds criminal networks. Legal mining, in contrast, operates under strict government regulations.
“A clear distinction must be made between legal and illegal mining. Stigmatising mining as the cause of insecurity is a misnomer,” Ayankale explained, highlighting the potential economic harm of a blanket ban.
The association warned that halting mining operations would be unjust, creating mass unemployment and worsening multidimensional poverty. MAN said such measures would fail to stop illegal miners, who often evade enforcement due to logistical and personnel challenges.
Ayankale further cautioned that legal miners and their employees would bear the brunt of the ban, while criminal elements linked to terrorism would continue accessing mineral resources unchecked.
“The victims of these bans are usually legitimate stakeholders, while illegal miners linked to terrorists still exploit resources due to insufficient government oversight,” he said.
MAN’s position underscores the need for targeted policies that address illegal mining specifically rather than punishing the broader mining industry. The association called for improved monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration between federal and state authorities.
By advocating for regulation rather than blanket prohibition, MAN aims to protect both national security and economic stability. The statement stressed that legal mining contributes significantly to job creation and the local economy.
As insecurity persists in northern Nigeria, the debate over mining regulations remains a critical issue, with stakeholders urging careful differentiation between lawful mining operations and illegal, unregulated activities.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
