The Federal Government has ceased operation of an illegal gold mine site in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.
This is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated this in a statement.
Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Friday in Abuja, stated that the operation was carried out by the Mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA.
Tomori said the operation involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorised miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.
He said that the operation, led by Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.
He said that reports indicated the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years.
“The site workers have been given five days to completely vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.”
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