Nasarawa bans under-18s from mining sites

The Nasarawa State Government has banned children under the age of 18 from participating in mining activities across the state.

The government also constituted a special monitoring and enforcement team to clamp down on illegal mining and child labour at mining sites.

The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, disclosed this at a press conference on Friday in Lafia.

Elayo said the decision followed reports of the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, and growing concerns over the dangers mining activities pose to children.

She expressed concern that children were being deployed as labourers in artisanal mining sites across parts of the state.

The commissioner noted that information received by the ministry showed that mining sites in Wamba, Nassarawa-Eggon and Kokona local government areas were exposing children to health hazards and depriving them of education.

She added that the government would no longer tolerate illegal mining activities that jeopardize lives and cause environmental degradation.

Elayo stated that the special monitoring team had been mandated to visit mining communities across the state to arrest persons or entities operating without valid licences and government clearance.

She said, “Henceforth, no child below the age of 18 is allowed to be found at any mining site in Nasarawa State, either as a labourer, errand runner or food vendor.

“Any company, site operator or parent found violating this directive will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the Child Rights Law and the mining regulations.”

Elayo urged mining companies to employ only adults aged 18 and above, train them and provide necessary safety gear for their operations.

She also cautioned parents against bringing their children to mining sites, warning of the severe health risks associated with the environment.

The commissioner noted that the state government would collaborate with security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to enforce the directive.

She added that the state was partnering with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant agencies to organize artisanal miners into cooperatives for better regulation and safety.

Elayo emphasised that the ban was not intended to halt mining operations, but to ensure that mining activities are conducted responsibly and sustainably.