Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of illegal and non-compliant mining sites operating in Gada Daya and Gada Eregi along the Bida Road areas of the state.

The directive followed a joint inspection carried out by the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

Leading the delegation, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, said operators without valid federal licences and state documentation would not be allowed to continue operations.

He said all mining operators must obtain licences from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and complete mandatory profiling and registration with the state ministry.

“No operator should commence or continue mining activities without proper licensing and documentation,” Danjuma said.

The inspection team included the Federal Mines Officer for Niger State, Henry Bolarinwa; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Idris Legbo; directors and senior officials of the ministry; representatives of Zuma Development Company, Niger State, led by Dr Abubakar Abubakar and security personnel.