Two Chinese nationals sentenced to two years in jail for illegal mining in Nigeria. In a crackdown led by Nigerian authorities, they operated Crius Chemical Nigeria. Concerns over child labour and corrupt practices in the mining sector continue to grow amid rising global demand for lithium.
As Nigeria’s mining industry experiences a surge, foreign exploitation of its resources has raised alarms. In a significant legal move, the Nigerian Federal High Court sentenced two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to two years in prison for illegally mining and selling solid minerals. They admitted guilt under the nation’s mining laws while running Crius Chemical Nigeria in Kwara State.
The crackdown on illegal mining began in earnest in April 2024, according to reports from the Associated Press (AP). With corruption rampant within a still-developing mining sector, Nigerian officials are concerned that illegal profits have ended up supporting militia groups. Simultaneously, child labour remains a grave issue, with some children as young as five working under hazardous conditions in unregulated mines.
Chinese enterprises are frequently linked to these illicit practices, engaging in exploitative child labour and unsanctioned mining. Workers, particularly children, are often exposed to perilous environments. Moreover, the difficulties Nigeria faces in its mining sector are echoed in neighbouring Niger, which has recently begun addressing its own illicit mining challenges.
With the rising demand for lithium in electric vehicles and technology, concerns about extraction practices have become a focal point, especially from a human rights and environmental viewpoint. Strengthening laws aimed at worker and environmental protection signals progress, while scientists seek more sustainable methods of mining that could reduce the usage of water, chemicals, and fossil fuels.
Both Chao and Chuan, in addition to their prison sentences, will pay a fine of one million Naira (around $620 USD) each, alongside their company. Crius Chemical Nigeria is also obligated to refund 14 million Naira (approximately $8,700 USD) and return all minerals obtained on its site. These developments reflect the government’s step toward regulating a drastically changing industry.
The sentencing of Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan highlights Nigeria’s increasing effort to regulate its mining sector. With illegal practices rampant and exploiting child labour prevalent, tighter enforcement of laws is crucial. As the demand for lithium grows, balancing human rights with sustainable mining practices remains a pressing challenge. Overall, this case marks a significant push against illegal operations in Nigeria’s booming economic landscape.
Original Source: www.thecooldown.com