The Negative Impact of Mining on Local Communities

Nigeria’s oil exploration and mining of mineral deposits have a dark side, often contributing to poverty and insecurity in host communities. States such as the Niger Delta region, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi have served as primary examples of this unfortunate outcome. But what are the reasons behind these troubling scenarios? We explore the causes in this report.

Nigeria is known as a mineral-rich country, blessed with 44 different types of minerals in commercial quantities in over 500 locations. These resources include barite, kaolin, gypsum, feldspar, limestone, coal, bitumen, uranium, gold, and many others. However, the extraction of these minerals often leads to environmental pollution, degradation, and exploitation of the host communities by the organizations in the extractive industry.

Due to a lack of basic amenities, environmental pollution, exploitation, and degradation, many host communities experience a surge in poverty and unemployment. In order to survive, some of these communities have resorted to criminal activities such as kidnapping, which contributes to growing insecurity in the country.

Security remains a major concern in the mining sector, as organized armed attacks on mines and precious metals facilities continue to pose a threat to stakeholders. Some of these criminal gangs are reportedly connected to global criminal syndicates, making the issue more complex.

According to a report by the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), the influx of Chinese nationals in Nigeria’s minefields is alarming. This has raised concerns about the security of foreign nationals and their involvement in mining sites. The association has called for the government and security agencies to implement stringent security measures to protect both the industry and its operators.

Environmental and human rights activist, Dr. Kelechukwu Okezie, expressed concern over the detrimental effects of mining on host communities. The inequitable distribution of resource revenue has resulted in widespread poverty, social unrest, and environmental degradation. Similar sentiments were echoed by economic analyst Mr. Theophilus Okioma, who called for amendments to the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (2007) to address security concerns in the sector.

During the 3rd West African Mining Host Communities’ Indaba, the executive director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, highlighted the negative impacts of oil and mineral discoveries in different communities. These resources, once seen as blessings, have become curses, contributing to environmental devastation, insecurity, and poverty.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also addressed the intertwining of armed conflicts, illicit activities, and weak regulatory frameworks within the extractive sector. These factors predominantly affect mining host communities, thus requiring closer collaboration between governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and local communities to address human rights issues.

In response to these challenges, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Henry Dele Alake, assured that measures were being taken to address the security concerns. The government plans to utilize the military to clear bandits from mining sites, allowing for unhindered mining operations.

In conclusion, it is evident that the extraction of mineral resources has led to adverse effects on host communities in Nigeria. The exploitation and environmental degradation have contributed to poverty and insecurity, calling for urgent measures to protect the rights and well-being of these communities. The government, industry stakeholders, and the international community must unite to address these pressing issues and ensure the sustainable and responsible extraction of mineral resources.