Bincike International, a development and humanitarian organisation, has raised concerns over illegal mining activities in Nigeria, calling for stronger regulation and enforcement in the sector.
The organisation, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, alleged that unregulated mining activities were contributing to environmental degradation, revenue losses and challenges facing some mining communities.
It also expressed concern over alleged encroachment on conservation areas and what it described as the mining sector’s inadequate contribution to government revenue.
‘While the nation sits on a vast fortune of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition, a shadowy and unregulated economy continues to siphon off this natural heritage,’ the organisation said.
‘This illicit trade starves federal and state treasuries of vital revenues, devastates fragile ecosystems, and subjects vulnerable citizens in host communities to severe exploitation.’
Bincike International said several states have solid mineral deposits in commercial quantities that are in international demand but have yet to be adequately harnessed.
Citing Nasarawa State, the organisation claimed that some lithium oxide samples from the state tested between 3.5 and 13 per cent, compared with what it described as globally traded samples of between one and two per cent.
The organisation further alleged that illegal mining networks were exploiting mineral deposits and circumventing regulatory channels, resulting in revenue losses to the government.
It called on relevant authorities to strengthen regulation and enforcement in the mining sector and ensure greater transparency in revenue collection.
Bincike International also advocated the revocation of permits found to have been obtained or operated illegally, saying stricter enforcement and revenue transparency would help the country derive greater economic benefits from its mineral resources.