Miners appeal to Taraba Govt. to lift ban on mining

Mineral Title Holders and other stakeholders have appealed to Gov. Agbu Kefas to reverse executive orders 003 and 005 to allow the resumption of mining activities in Taraba.

The appeal is contained in a communiqué at the end of a consultative meeting organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mines Inspectorate Development, Taraba office, on Friday in Jalingo.

The communiqué signed by Umar Mohammed, who represented the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, and Dantani Sojah, the Acting Chairman, Nigeria Union of Mines Workers Taraba chapter, pledged to comply with safety guidelines.

“Mineral title holders resolved to handle consent letters as stipulated in the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act (NMMA), 2007 and pay N50,000.00 for land consent form processing by the state government.

“The meeting also resolved to support the state’s development by paying a flat rate of N50,000 per truck on all minerals mined in Taraba.

“Mineral title holders expressed willingness to partner with the state government to enhance mining operations to benefit communities and Nigeria at large.

“They are also committed to ensuring that companies sign and implement agreements for community development with their host communities,” it stated.

According to the communiqué, the meeting pledges to conduct mining activities in an environmentally friendly manner, in line with their environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The meeting commended Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, for his tireless efforts at ensuring the resumption of mining in Taraba and other affected states.

The miners also lauded Gov. Kefas for tackling kidnapping and banditry in the communities to enable mining companies to access the communities.

The meeting appealed to both state and federal governments to provide support and incentives to indigenous miners, saying mining was a major means of poverty eradication