Zamfara State, rich in minerals like gold, copper, and lithium, faces severe insecurity linked to illegal mining and banditry, where armed groups engage in cattle rustling and kidnappings. These resources, while valuable, have attracted criminal activities that exploit both the resources and local miners, who often endure unsafe working conditions dominated by intimidation from armed factions.

The Nigerian government instated a mining ban in 2019 to combat escalating insecurity, later expanding to a no-fly zone due to concerns that illegal gold mining funded weapon smuggling. However, the ban failed due to widespread bandit control over mining sites. Many locals remained involved in artisanal mining, as this was their only income source, ironically strengthening bandit operations financially.

Data shows the ban’s ineffectiveness, with registered deaths from insecurity increasing by 183% post-ban, indicating a worsening situation. The ban disrupted local livelihoods, pushing individuals into illegal mining, and bandits exploited this vulnerability to strengthen their criminal activities. With the mining ban lifted in December 2024, the government faced the same issues, as bandits continued to control operations despite the stated improvements in the state’s security.

Addressing these problems requires structural reforms, including the involvement of local authorities in mineral regulation and development. The government needs a comprehensive strategy to enhance security at mining sites through specialised forces and improved surveillance while establishing robust regulations on mineral extraction and sales to combat smuggling. Collaboration with local communities and international partners can also modernise Nigeria’s mining sector.

Additionally, providing alternative employment opportunities and supporting community development can address the economic vulnerabilities faced by Zamfara’s mining communities, reducing their reliance on illegal mining. Emphasising responsible mining practices will help protect both the miners’ well-being and the environment from health hazards and ecological degradation.

The situation in Zamfara highlights the complexity of balancing mineral exploitation with security and community welfare. By focusing on enhanced security measures, regulatory frameworks, and local community support, the Nigerian government could create a sustainable mining sector that deters bandit activity while benefiting the overall economy.

The article discusses the complex relationship between illegal mining, banditry, and economic dependency in Zamfara State, Nigeria. It outlines the history of mining bans instituted by the government aimed at curtailing insecurity resulting from these activities. However, the bans were largely ineffective as they disrupted local livelihoods and empowered armed groups controlling mining sites. The state’s mineral wealth offers potential for economic growth, yet poses significant governance and security challenges.

The lifting of the mining ban in Zamfara is a pivotal moment for Nigeria to tackle insecurity and better utilise mineral wealth. The previous ban revealed the intricate challenges, including worsening insecurity and local economic dependency on illegal mining. Future interventions must robustly address security, community needs, and industry regulation to prevent bandit exploitation while fostering a sustainable mining framework.

Original Source: solacebase.com

The post Can Nigeria Tackle Banditry and Harness Mineral Wealth in Zamfara? first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

In Nasarawa, Nigeria, the underground lithium mining boom is casting a shadow over child welfare. Juliet Samaniya, just six years old, toils in the sun for mere cents, forgoing education to support her impoverished family in an unlicensed mining site. The International Labour Organization estimates over a million youths work in mines globally, with Africa experiencing particularly high levels of child labour due to poverty and inadequate education. Children in these mines face hazardous conditions, exposing them to respiratory risks and physical threats, often working alongside adult miners in small-scale operations that feed the growing lithium market.

Such mining operations are unlicensed and often involve questionable practices, typical of Nigeria’s struggling regulatory framework. Corruption prevents effective enforcement of laws against child labour, despite the government’s intent to reform. The demand for lithium, fuelled by the global shift to clean energy, has drawn illegal mining activities that exploit vulnerable populations, particularly children, enriching unscrupulous buyers, some linked to larger Chinese companies, who do not question the origins of the minerals.

As miners like Abdul Ibrahim profit from these illicit operations, many children work under grueling conditions to survive, with little hope for education or a future outside the mines. Local officials acknowledge a decline in school attendance, attributing it to mining activities, which reveal a harsh reality for numerous families. Activists stress the need for stronger protective measures for children and responsible practices among corporations involved in the lithium supply chain.

The plight of children in Nasarawa’s mines illustrates the urgent necessity for systemic change, urging government intervention and greater corporate accountability to safeguard their future.

Lithium is crucial for batteries in clean energy technologies, and Nigeria is capitalising on this global demand. However, the surge in mining activities has led to numerous illegal operations where child labour is rampant. Many families resort to such work due to poverty, forcing children like Juliet to abandon their education. The mining practices are risky, and regulations are poorly enforced, leading to an exploitative cycle affecting the most vulnerable members of society. The situation is compounded by corruption and a lack of governmental oversight, which allows these practices to flourish unchecked.

The illegal lithium mining in Nigeria exposes a critical human rights issue, where children are forced to work under perilous conditions instead of receiving an education. Despite laws against child labour, enforcement remains weak, with rampant corruption hindering reform efforts. As the global demand for lithium rises, it is essential for Nigerian authorities and international corporations to take responsibility for ethical mining practices and protect the rights of children. Without decisive action, the cycle of exploitation is unlikely to end, depriving future generations of hope and opportunities for a better life.

Original Source: www.newsday.com

The post Children in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines: A Harsh Reality first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.