The Nigerian government has ordered all illegal miners to leave Zamfara State following a lead poisoning outbreak. Minister Dele Alake highlighted negligence in enforcing a mining ban that could have prevented the incident. All mining will be paused until new Standard Operating Procedures are established. Experts will recommend interventions, and satellite monitoring technology will be deployed to curb illegal mining.
Following a recent outbreak of lead poisoning in Zamfara State’s Bungudu Local Government Area, the Nigerian government has ordered illegal miners to vacate mining sites immediately. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced this decision in Abuja. Zamfara is known for its gold deposits and previously faced a major lead poisoning epidemic in 2010, linked to artisanal mining activities that contaminated the environment and affected local residents, especially children.
The government has halted all mining activities until the release of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for safe mining resumption. Alake expressed concern that the six-year ban on mining, which was reversed in December 2024, could have prevented this outbreak. He condemned the negligence of local authorities in allowing illegal mining operations, emphasising the need for responsible enforcement of existing laws.
Recommendations from experts will assist the government in preventing future lead poisoning incidents. Alake praised the state government’s emergency response and stressed the importance of collaboration to eradicate illegal miners and protect innocent citizens. He assured that a comprehensive SOP encompassing all aspects of mining will soon be published.
This SOP will detail protocols for current and new mining license holders, community development agreements, and efforts to improve the industry. Alake highlighted the recent adoption of satellite technology to monitor mining activities across the nation, aimed at eliminating illegal operations and misconduct within the mining sector. Previous outbreaks of lead poisoning have resulted in severe consequences, including over 300 child fatalities in 2017.
The Nigerian government’s immediate action to remove illegal miners from Zamfara aims to combat the ongoing lead poisoning crisis. The enforcement of a mining ban and the development of Standard Operating Procedures are essential steps to secure the health of local communities. With new technological measures and cooperation between government and traditional authorities, the government seeks to prevent further tragedies linked to illegal mining practices.
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