Plateau Moves To Prosecute Illegal Miners

The Plateau State Government last Tuesday threatened to prosecute illegal miners whose activities had become dangerous and detrimental to the environment.

Commissioner for Mineral Development, Mr Sani Adubok, gave the warning in Jos during an interview newsmen.

“The activities of illegal miners have become a cause of concern to the state government.

“Government will no longer tolerate activities of such miners considering the devastating effects on lives and the environment.

“We shall soon commence arresting and prosecuting offenders.

“We can’t allow people to keep threatening the environment in the name of mining; the state has many unclaimed mining ponds littered around and won’t allow that to continue,” he said.

The commissioner said that peasant miners were being monitored and would face the full wrath of the law.

Adubok particularly decried the damage caused to the land around Kuru, saying that it was affecting farming activities seriously.

The commissioner said that the ministry had initiated measures to stop the trend and that prospective miners must seek permission before  taking to mining business.

He said that prospective investors from Japan and China were carrying out exploration works in Gimbi in Wase Local Government and Butura in Bokkos Local Government Area.

The commissioner said this was with a view to commence full exploration at the end of the year.

Adubok said that although mining was capital intensive, some few indigenous companies had been issued licences and were already into full operation in the state.