The Miners Association of Nigeria has decried the difficult registration process and multiple taxation hindering the operations of local miners in Bauchi.

Bello Galloji, chairman, Bauchi chapter of the association said this on Friday at a one-day enlightenment meeting organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council, North East Zone.

“Local miners have this fear of exploration because of the heavy and tedious process of registration and multiple taxation by the Local, State, and Federal Governments.

“Nigeria is losing a lot of resources from untapped mineral deposits as well as from the little that is being mined mostly by illegal miners who smuggle the products out of the country,” he said.

Mr Galloji, who said the state has over 30 mineral resources, called for an environment that would facilitate exploration and investment in the sector, adding that this would boost economic diversification efforts of governments.

Also speaking, Abubakar Bashir, Director North East Zone of the Council said the meeting was convened to sensitise miners on importation and exportation of goods.

He said the meeting would remind stakeholders of the processes and procedures of export.

Mr Bashir explained that the council was responsible for protecting exporters and importers in Nigeria as well as their goods.

“The council also focuses on importing and exporting of cargo with regards to port-to-port shipment through the chain of transportation,” he said.

In a remark, Nurudeen Hamid, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, assured stakeholders of the state government’s commitments towards investing in the development of its mineral resources sector.

(NAN)