Why slaves, since 1300 Benin “The concomitant result was the colossal loss of revenue to the affected communities, local government, the state and the Federal Government as legitimate miners were forced to shut down operations."

The federal government has lifted the five-year ban on legal mining operations in Zamfara State.

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, who said the ban was placed in 2019 following existential threats in the state, made the disclosure while briefing the media recently.

BusinessDay recalls that the state had been over run by illegal mining operations and banditry, leading to lead poisoning and deaths of over 700 children as reported by ‘Doctors Without Borders.’

Illegal mining had also led to environmental degradation and pollution of several communities’ water sources.

This was compounded by banditry activities which had overwhelmed the security architecture of the state, leading to the displacements of whole communities.

“It was based on existential threats to lives and properties in the state.”

He noted that the decision had brought formal activities in the mining sector in the state to a total halt, leaving the field to illegal operators.

“The concomitant result was the colossal loss of revenue to the affected communities, local government, the state and the Federal Government as legitimate miners were forced to shut down operations.

https://businessday.ng/real-sector/article/fg-lifts-ban-on-mining-in-zamfara-state-after-five-years/#google_vignette