TheCable

The federal government has given a 30-day grace period to illegal miners in the country.

They have been asked to join a miners’ cooperative within the period or look for another vocation.

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, issued the directive on Sunday during the unveiling of the ‘Agenda for the Transformation of the Solid Minerals for International Competitiveness and Domestic Prosperity’, in Abuja.

Alake said the ministry will soon introduce a security tax force and mines police that will help the country combat illegal mining and smuggling.

The minister said after the expiration of the 30-day grace, there will be a clampdown by security agencies.

“For the last time, let me declare that the ministry is giving such persons 30 days grace to join a miners’ co-operative or find another vocation to do,” Alake said.

“On the expiration of the period, the full weight of the law will fall on anyone seen on a mining site without a determinable status.

“This message will be interpreted into Nigerian languages and broadcast on the radio to ensure no one is ignorant of this directive.

“From October, a rejuvenated security regime will become active in the solid minerals sector. This will include the mine police, sourced from the Nigeria police and specially trained to detect illegal mining and apprehend offenders.

“The new mines surveillance security task force will coordinate the mines police and proactively address high risk incidences of breach of mining laws.

“The federal and state governments will also be encouraged to allocate the prosecution of cases against illegal miners to competent courts.”