The federal government has shut down an illegal gold mine site in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State after 20 years.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the move was part of the federal government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.
According to a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori yesterday in Abuja, the mining marshals carried out the operation in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East.
According to Mr Tomori, the operation involves dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorized miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.
He said that reports indicated the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years, adding that the operation, led by the commander of the mining marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.
Mr Tomori said that the site workers have been given five days to vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.
Recall that the federal government, on July 12 announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State
