Nasarawa shuts mining firm over infraction

The Nasarawa State government has shut down a Lithium mining firm, Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited in the Kokona Local Government Area of the state for commencing operations without following the laid down laws guarding and regulating mining activities in the state.

Meanwhile, the mining company had in some sections of the media, recently accused the Nasarawa State government of undue interference in their mining activities in the state.

Speaking on the development during a press conference in Lafia on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu lamented that Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited did not follow the due process before commencing operations, therefore it was not known as a mining company in the state.

He further 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 Commissioner said, “The attention of the Nasarawa State Government has been drawn to a press conference by one Mr. Tim Eldon of Trimadix Geomin Consult Limited, accusing the Nasarawa State Government of undue interference in their mining operations in the state, particularly, in Kokona Local Government Area.

“You would recall that on April 19, 2024, which is exactly two months today, the Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the security agencies took a bold step to secure the Amba community of Kokona LGA from the activities of illegal miners that constitute a threat to the peace and security of the community and its environs.

“This action followed a petition from the community’s chief on the illegal mining activities in his domain without proper consent.

“There exist in Nasarawa State, the Executive Order No. 02 of 2022 signed into Law by His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule, which particularly provides that all community consent and development agreement made pursuant to Section 116
of the Mineral and Mining Act, 2007, and prior to signing by authenticated
Community Heads shall be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to be vetted and certified by the Attorney General of Nasarawa State.

“The Executive Order also provides that all mining entities arriving the state with
Authority of the Federal Government to carry out mining in the state must undergo checks by the Ministry responsible for Environment and mining, and the security agencies in the state in order to verify their legal status, citizenship and background before settlement.

“The so-called mining entity claiming to be licensed to carry out mining activities in the Amba community 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,” the commissioner averred.

Kwanta further reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to mount surveillance on the mining site.

He added that any other mining site with similar issues of not following the laid down laws of the land would be shut down by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Commissioner explained that the state government was fully aware of the need for all communities endowed with mineral resources in the state to be protected from infiltration by unidentifiable entities and individuals with the propensity and capacity for mischief and criminality, adding that it was what necessitated the state government to begin the shutting down of illegal mining companies across the state.

“We have carried out a series of robust engagements and mass sensitisation to
bring to the knowledge of stakeholders in the mining sector operating in the state of the regulatory provisions of the Executive Order No. 02 of 2022 to promote security and environmental safeguards in mining communities.

“While the government of Nasarawa State remains committed to promoting investment opportunities and the growth of businesses for economic development and poverty reduction, the state government would not compromise its determination to rid the state of illegal mining activities that put the life of our people and the safety of communities in danger,” he added