Put an End to Mining Tragedies, CAPPA Urges Federal Government


In the wake of a tragic mining accident that claimed about 30 lives, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has issued a strong call to the Nigerian government to take decisive action against illegal mining operations, urging immediate and stringent regulatory reforms to prevent further loss of life and environmental damage.

CAPPA’s statement, released over the weekend, responded to the recent collapse of an illegal mining pit in the Buffa zone of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which straddles Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State. 

The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, November 6, has left approximately 30 gold miners feared dead. 

CAPPA condemned the frequent tragedies of illegal mining activities and demanded accountability and proactive intervention from authorities.

The advocacy group highlighted significant concerns over the proliferation of illegal mining camps and the frequent collapses of such sites across the country, expressing scepticism about the effectiveness of regulatory agencies such as the Mines Surveillance Task Team. 

CAPPA criticized the weak enforcement of mining regulations, which it said not only jeopardizes the safety of miners but also devastates local communities and their environments.

“Despite existing regulations, illegal mining continues to proliferate, revealing serious gaps in enforcement, often at the expense of local communities,” CAPPA stated. 

According to CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, field investigations have revealed numerous illegal and abandoned mining camps, often managed by local and foreign interests, in states like Nasarawa, Osun, and Ekiti. 

Vulnerable artisanal miners, including women and children, dig hundreds of feet underground with inadequate safety measures, placing their lives at risk.

Oluwafemi emphasized that unregulated mining leads to severe environmental degradation, leaving behind hazardous open pits that pose ongoing dangers to communities. 

CAPPA argued that beyond the enforcement of mining laws, the government must also address the deep-rooted socioeconomic factors driving locals into hazardous mining. 

“Poverty, created and sustained by systemic exclusion, forces many to engage in dangerous mining operations as a means of survival,” Oluwafemi noted.

CAPPA warned of an impending “green transition” that has fueled a global rush for minerals, which could leave mineral-rich Nigerian communities further exploited and exposed to dangers unless they gain a rightful stake in the extracted wealth. The organization cautioned that without policy changes to give these communities an equitable share of resources, the desperation that fuels illegal mining will persist.

Another concern raised by CAPPA is the accessibility of legal mining channels for artisanal miners. 

While the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Department (ASSMD) under the Ministry of Mines and Steel was established to support small-scale miners, the process is complex and costly. 

CAPPA pointed out that recent increases in the fees for obtaining a Small-Scale Mining Lease, now set at N300,000, pose a significant barrier for impoverished individuals who rely on artisanal mining to survive. 

Additionally, the requirement to submit extensive documentation, including feasibility studies and proof of financial capacity, further excludes low-income miners.

“This financial burden effectively allows corporate interests to monopolize legal mining, while artisanal miners who cannot afford these processes remain in perilous and exploitative conditions,” CAPPA remarked. 

The organization called on the federal government to simplify licensing processes, reduce fees, and provide technical and educational support to empower small-scale miners.

Furthermore, CAPPA demanded that corporations in resource-rich areas be held accountable for any human rights and environmental abuses. 

The group urged state governments to impose stringent oversight on corporate mining operations, enforcing penalties and even revoking licences to prevent regulatory breaches.

In conclusion, CAPPA called for a dedicated mining task force that would approach local communities with responsibility rather than force, emphasizing that “using force only breeds resistance and increases tension.” 

The organization reminded the government of its duty to protect lives and prioritize the welfare of communities that often bear the lasting scars and costs of resource extraction.

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