Zamfara sets up committee to fight illegal mining
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
Illustrative image · Ngostary2kThe Zamfara State government in Nigeria has set up a 13-member committee to fight illegal mining in gold-producing areas. Chaired by Environment Commissioner Abdulrahman Tumbido, it is tasked with coordinating authorities and security forces to identify operators and enforce rules, according to Leadership.
The Zamfara State government in Nigeria set up a 13-member committee in Gusau on Friday to fight illegal mining. Chaired by Environment Commissioner Abdulrahman Tumbido, the committee is tasked in particular with identifying illegal mining sites and their operators, according to Leadership.
The new body brings together representatives of security services, traditional institutions and federal and Zamfara State administrations. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, also asked it to check that licensed mining companies comply with the law, limit environmental damage and protect people living around the sites, according to Leadership.
The committee's establishment comes as insecurity worsens in mining communities in the Anka area. On 15 October, elderly residents of Birnin Doki said they had been driven from their homes by terrorist leader Muhammad Gwaska after refusing forced labour in gold mines controlled by his group, according to Leadership.
