Nasarawa communities disown lithium mining firm, allege illegal operation

Two mining communities, Amba and Agaza in the Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have denied giving their support to a Lithium mining company, Timadex Geomin Consult Limited to operate in the area without the consent of the state government.

Arewa According reports that the mining firm had accused the Nasarawa State Government of undue interference in its activities, while lamenting that it acquired all the necessary licenses and followed due processes before it began its operations in the area.

Meanwhile, following the outcry of the community, the Nasarawa State Government immediately swung into action and shut down the mining company, insisting that due processes were not followed before the firm commenced operation in the Amba and Agaza communities.

In a press conference in Lafia on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu, explained that the mining firm was closed down in line with the state government’s commitment to put an end to the activities of illegal miners across the state.

“The so-called mining entity (Timadex Geomin Consult Limited) claiming to be licensed to carry out mining activities in the area is not known to the Nasarawa State Government according to the provisions of the Executive Order No. 02 of 2022, and the mining site remains closed and secured until responsible investors who are trusted by the community and the state, through a proper consenting, are licensed to mine in the area,” he stated.

The Commissioner further reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to mount surveillance on the mining sites, adding that any other mining company with similar issues would be shut down by the ministry.

Also corroborating the stand of the state government in a press statement equally made available to Arewa According in Lafia on Thursday, the two affected communities –  Amba and Agaza aligned with the state government on the matter, denying having anything to do with the lithium firm, Timadex Geomin Consult Limited which had been operating in the area.

The statement was jointly signed by the Overseer of Agwada Development Area, Adamu Agye; the OSU of Agwada, HRH Abubakar Obagu; the Sangarin of Amba, HRH Martins Abashi; and the District Heads and Youth Leaders in the area.

The statement read in parts, “For the purpose of history and clarity and to keep the records straight, the minerals in question (Lithium) was discovered in Kware (Amba) and Agaza (Igwo) communities respectively in the Kokona Local Government Area.

“The people that constitute this geographical area are peace loving people.

“No government, the world over will not welcome development. No government will dislike the progress of its citizens. Also, no responsible government will allow its citizens live without securing their lives and properties.

“We view the actions of the Governor of Nasarawa State (Abdullahi Sule) to ensure a well-coordinated and productive mining activities devoid of insecurity and threat to lives of the people of our communities as good intention and the right action any responsible government would take, considering the devastating consequences that comes with mining activities.

“It is on this note that upon discovery of the presence of some illegal miners, we quickly solicited for the intervention of the state government which the Governor obliged by providing security to prevent the influx of illegal miners and to safeguard mining sites in the area.

“The two communities have no knowledge of any consent given to Timadex Geomin Consult Limited either by the Village Head, District Head or the paramount rulers of both Amba and Agwada Chiefdoms.

“Therefore, as the people from these communities where this discovery was made, we make bold to say that we are fully in support of the Nasarawa State Government on whatever decision it may think best for the development and progress of our communities.”

The two communities, however added that full consent had been given to Black Stone New Energy Limited and Black Gem New Energy Limited to carryout mining activities in the area after a careful assessment of the both companies, adding that they had proven to have the knowledge and capacity to establish both production and processing factories in the communities.

“Therefore, we want to draw the attention of Timadex Geomin Consult Limited to the fact that the communities of Amba and Agaza are fully behind the two Chinese companies (Black Stone New Energy Limited and Black Gem New Energy Limited) contrary to what they claimed; that the natives are crying foul that their land is being sold without their consent.

“While we are not against any indigenous mining company to obtain consent to operate on our land, we resolve that such company must have unquestionable mining history and capacity to operate.

“We want to categorically state that any attempt by individuals or groups of individuals to bring or support the activities of illegal miners to these communities will be strictly resisted.

“We, therefore, urge the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Director General of Cadastre Office and the Governor of Nasarawa State to ensure that only reputable mining companies with the requisite capacity either local or foreign are allowed to be given license,” the statement stressed.