Miners in Nigeria have raised the alarm over the insecurity and unfair market conditions that threaten their livelihoods and the development of the solid minerals sector. The miners, who are mostly artisanal and small scale operators, have appealed to the federal government to provide them with adequate protection and support.
According to the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, its members face various challenges such as health and environmental hazards, attacks from illegal miners, and exploitation by buyers. The president of the cooperative society, Alhaji Abdullahi Dantasidi, said that the miners are the first explorers of mineral resources in mining sites across the country, but they are often neglected and maltreated by previous administrations.
Dantasidi urged President Bola Tinubu to take proactive action to address the security challenges confronting the miners, especially in Edo State where hundreds of illegal miners have reportedly relocated to Ikpeshi, Atte and other communities after being chased away from Dagbala village. Also, he called on the federal government to set up fair and proper marketplace parameters for artisanal miners to sell their products at appropriate prices without being cheated by potential buyers, some of whom are foreigners.
He said that an improved synergy between government and artisanal miners would boost the output of the sector and open doors of prosperity and fruitful engagement for both parties. He added that this would also lay a solid foundation for the younger generation who may indicate interest in the mining sector.
The miners also congratulated the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, for his appointment and pledged to work closely with him to achieve President Tinubu’s administration’s set goals in the mining sector.
They urged the minister to create avenues for both government officials and critical stakeholders to interface with artisanal miners on issues and challenges they face while carrying out their duties.
The miners expressed their confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and his commitment to revamp the solid minerals sector, which they said has huge potential to generate revenue and create jobs for Nigerians. They said that they are not illegal miners but artisanal miners who need support and recognition from the government.
