The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has faulted proposals for a nationwide suspension of mining activities, insisting that such a move would deepen insecurity rather than resolve it.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dele Ayankale, and National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, the association argued that only illegal mining has been linked to terrorism and other security challenges, not licensed and regulated operations.
Their reaction follows recent calls by the Northern States Governors’ Forum for a six-month suspension of mining activities, citing illegal mining as a major driver of rising insecurity, including abductions and killings in several states.
Ayankale maintained that past attempts to curb insecurity through blanket mining bans had failed, referencing the 2019 suspension of mining in Zamfara State. According to him, the prohibition produced no positive outcomes and instead coincided with an escalation of banditry, kidnappings and terror attacks that spread to Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states.
“It is disorderly, illegal mining—conducted without licences or regulatory oversight—that fuels money laundering and insecurity,” he said. “A clear distinction must be made between legal and illegal mining. Stigmatising lawful miners is a misrepresentation of the real problem.”
The association warned that halting legitimate mining operations would trigger job losses, worsen poverty, and further destabilise mining communities. Ayankale noted that those affected by such bans often turn out to be compliant operators, while illegal miners—who often work with criminal networks—continue to access mineral sites due to weak enforcement capacity.
He added that unrestricted access to minerals in areas placed under a ban could empower criminals, who frequently exchange mineral resources for arms and ammunition.
Ayankale further cautioned that a suspension would undermine ongoing federal efforts to attract investment into the solid minerals sector, especially current initiatives aimed at improving transparency and removing bottlenecks in the industry.
According to MAN, licensed miners maintain close collaboration with security agencies and adhere to responsible, environmentally sound mining standards. Through mandatory community development agreements, he said, they also contribute to infrastructure and economic growth in rural communities.
Describing the call for a ban as “unfortunate and unpatriotic,” Ayankale urged state governments to channel part of their security votes or create dedicated funds to strengthen the operations of mining marshals and other regulatory interventions targeting illegal activities.
He also criticised the demand for a revalidation of mining licences, calling it an indirect push for resource control, which he argued contradicts constitutional provisions placing mineral resources under federal authority.
Ayankale appealed to the presidency to consider the broader implications of a ban, warning that it could drive more youths into criminal and terrorist groups.
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