• Kefas accuse security of covering illegal operators

The Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) has called for improved wages, safety standards and welfare packages for mine workers, even as it commended the federal government’s efforts to expand financing and investment in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Commending the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)-EMERGE funding programme for private-sector mineral exploration projects and mining-related academic research in institutions, the NUMW National President, Comrade Hamza Muhammad, described the initiative as a significant intervention that could address one of the mining sector’s longstanding challenges: access to finance for mineral exploration.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, has confirmed that two miners were also shot dead over the weekend by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias at a mining site in Kuru Jenta of Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Council Area of Plateau State.

Tengwong, who confirmed the attack in a statement, said the incident occurred at about 11:30 pm while the victims and other miners were carrying out activities at the site.

According to NUMW, the programme could help Nigerian-owned mining companies grow into world-class conglomerates and stimulate the emergence of more companies with the capacity of Segilola Resources Limited.

Meanwhile, the union called for greater attention to the welfare, safety and remuneration of mine workers, saying workers must benefit directly from the growth of the sector.

However, Tengwong described the attack as unprovoked and unfortunate, coming barely a week after gunmen killed two other miners at another mining site in Rakum village of Jos South council, and urged security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.