Outrage in Zamfara over move to close rich gold mines
Zamfara State government’s move to close down all gold mines in the state has sparked outrage, has learnt.
Daily Trust
A team security operatives was instructed to seal off a rich gold mine at Tungar Lada village in Talata Mafara local government area of the state.
A mining Firm, Inta General Enterprises, had already written a petition against the state government in which the Inspector General of Police, Federal Ministry of mining and Steel Development were copied over the takeover of of its reach mining site. The petition was signed by the solicitor to the Firm, Mr Sam Anosike.
The chairman of the company, Alhaji Shamsuddeen Dahiru Gusau, alleged that the site was handed over to Jafaru Abdulaziz Yari, said to be the brother to Governor Abdulaziz Yari.
“We have obtained all valid documents including the Exploration and Mining Licenses from the Federal Government, why then should they collect something from A and then give it to B. That is why we petitioned all relevant authorities on the matter,” he added.
Some of the gold diggers at popular Bagega and Bindin mining sites told Daily Trust that the move could seriously affect their means of livelihood.
Reacting to the development, the state commissioner for Environment and Steel Development, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Keta, said although a high powered delegation would be in Abuja this week to discuss the matter the state government had already taken steps with the closure of the mining sites as part of the beginning of the new modalities.
He said, “we know that the issuance of mining rights and licenses is a federal government reserve, but we also expect that we should be informed whenever such activities like mining are taking place in our jurisdiction.”
The commissioner said he sought for the deployment of police personnel to close the site having realized that the labourers were beginning to fight which could lead to loss of lives.
“We are yet to recover from the crises caused by cattle rustlers, armed bandits, kidnapping, meningitis and lead poisoning where hundreds of lives and property were lost and we cannot allow a new crisis to start,” he added.