The federal government has sensitised communities in the Southern part of Kaduna State to the dangers of allowing illegal mining activities in their localities.

The sensitisation/town hall meeting on mining took place in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area.

During the event, Hosea Ali, acting zonal mines officer, North-West office of the ministry of solid minerals development said Southern Kaduna was an emerging mining zone, hence the need for sensitisation.

“We are here on behalf of the minister who directed that a meeting of this nature be held in Kaduna and Kafanchan in particular.

“This is because Southern Kaduna is coming up as an active mining zone; it’s active in the sense that lithium, which is becoming a hot cake globally, is found predominantly here.

“That is why we have come to sensitise the communities and the mining companies to their responsibilities to each other,” he stated.

According to him, illegal mining deprives the government of royalties and taxes and also contributes to insecurity and environmental degradation.

He identified issues of consent, community development agreement, surface rent and environmental impact assessment as major sources of conflict between host communities and mining companies.

The zonal mines officer urged mining companies to ensure they obtained the necessary mining licence and permits before mobilising people to the site.

He enjoined artisanal miners to form a small-scale cooperative licence, to operate legally and enhance their activities.

Monday Barau, who spoke on behalf of mining companies in Kaduna, attributed the poor contribution of the sector to Nigeria’s economy to illegal mining

Mr Barau solicited the support of stakeholders to reposition the mining sector and maximise its potential.

Eric Binang from the extractive industry, fraud section of the EFCC office in Kaduna, decried the many laws being violated by miners in carrying out their activities.

Mr Binang restated the commission’s resolve to go after any person or group that commits economic crimes related to mining.

The town hall meeting was attended by traditional and community leaders as well as youth groups and security agencies.

(NAN)