Nasarawa Bans Under-18s From Mining

The Nasarawa State Government has banned children below 18 from participating in mining activities across the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, announced the ban on Friday in Lafia. The ban covers all 13 local government areas and aims to protect children from mining-related dangers.

Elayo also announced a special monitoring and enforcement team to tackle illegal mining and child labour. Elayo said the move followed the recent deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State. She said the government would no longer allow young residents to take part in illegal mining.

The commissioner said the practice exposes children to serious health risks and environmental hazards. She also said the special team would inspect mining sites and communities across the state.

The team will arrest individuals and companies operating without the required licences and government clearance.

Elayo said the move would help sanitise the mining sector and protect children from exploitation. She expressed concern over the use of underage children as labourers at some artisanal mining sites.

According to her, some sites in Wamba, Nasarawa-Eggon and Kokona have exposed children to health risks.

She added that the practice was also denying some children access to education.

“Henceforth, no child below the age of 18 is allowed to be found at any mining site in Nasarawa State, either as a labourer, errand runner or food vendor.”

“Any company, site operator or parent found violating this directive will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the Child Rights Law and the mining regulations,” Elayo said.

Elayo urged mining companies to employ only adults aged 18 and above. She also asked operators to train workers and provide proper safety equipment.

The commissioner further urged parents not to take their children to mining sites. She said the government would work with security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to enforce the ban. Instead, she said the government wants mining activities to be carried out safely and responsibly.

Nasarawa has large deposits of lithium, tin and gold, attracting many artisanal miners to the state.

The announcement came a day after 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The suspects were arrested during operations in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages on September 15 and 16.