In its efforts to tackle illegal mining, the Kebbi State Government said yesterday that it was organising artisanal miners into registered cooperatives to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve revenue generation and promote a more organised mining sector.

Disclosing this exclusively to The Guardian at the Nigeria Mining Week 2026, themed “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships,” the Director of Mines and Exploration, Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Ibrahim Tanimu, added that the initiative would ensure that operators obtain the necessary authorisation before commencing activities.

Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chinedu Nkah, has asked the federal government to address the regulatory bottlenecks and create a framework that encourages responsible investment while protecting local interests.

Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the 2026 Mining Week, Nkah said these measures would enable Nigeria to derive greater economic benefits from its abundant mineral resources.

He called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s mining laws to empower state and local councils and host communities to exercise greater control over mineral exploration and exploitation.

Tanimu explained that artisanal miners were required to register with mining cooperatives before engaging in mining activities in the state, a measure designed to bring their operations under government supervision and discourage illegal mining.

According to him, the ministry also facilitates negotiations between registered mining cooperatives and holders of mining titles to ensure that artisanal miners obtain the necessary consent before operating in designated areas.

He added that the registration of mining cooperatives had also provided a channel for the state government to generate internally generated revenue from artisanal mining activities.

Noting that Kebbi has abundant solid mineral resources with considerable potential to attract investment and create economic opportunities, he emphasised the importance of protecting the interests of host communities, particularly regarding landowner compensation and community development initiatives.

However, Nkah argued that the existing legal framework undermines local accountability, constrains investment and exposes communities to environmental hazards.

According to him, the extant framework, which places mining licences largely under federal control, limits the capacity of subnational authorities and host communities to regulate mining activities and hold operators accountable for their environmental and social responsibilities.