Nigeria is taking strong measures against illegal mining as part of efforts to regulate the sector and maximise its mineral resources. Recent raids led to multiple arrests, including foreign nationals. The government links illegality to conflicts and aims to curb the annual $9 billion loss from resource theft.
Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to regulate illegal mining operations as part of a campaign to manage its mineral resources better. The global demand for minerals like lithium and tin, essential for the clean energy transition, has led to an upsurge in illicit mining activities within the country, exacerbated by corruption and minimal government oversight in remote areas. Recent actions include a raid in Kishi, Oyo State, where security forces arrested 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, involved in illegal lithium trade. Local community leaders report growing concerns about insecurity linked to illicit mining. President Bola Tinubu has linked illegal mining to escalating conflicts in northern Nigeria, prompting calls for international assistance. China plays a significant role in Nigeria’s mining landscape, often employing vulnerable populations affected by conflict and climate change. To mitigate the losses from illegal mining, estimated at $9 billion annually, Nigeria has established a corps of mining marshals tasked with tackling unlawful activities. Recent legal actions against illegal miners highlight the government’s commitment to combatting this issue.
Nigeria is emerging as a significant source of key minerals like lithium, crucial for global renewables, amid diminishing supplies from leading producers. Illegal mining has flourished due to inadequate regulatory frameworks and widespread corruption, endangering national security by funding militia groups. The country’s geography complicates enforcement, as many mineral deposits are in remote, inaccessible areas. The influx of Chinese miners has raised concerns over exploitative practices, environmental degradation, and links to local conflicts, particularly in Nigeria’s north where conflict-induced displacement has created a cheap workforce for mining operations.
Nigeria’s crackdown on illegal mining reflects its urgent need to regulate an industry marked by corruption and violence. The government’s establishment of mining marshals and recent arrests signal a drive to restore order and revenue in the extractive sector. The involvement of foreign nationals underscores the complexity of this issue, intertwining economic, social, and environmental factors.
Original Source: www.voaafrica.com