The Nasarawa State Government has banned children below the age of 18 from participating in mining activities across the state’s 13 local government areas.
The government has also established a special monitoring and enforcement team to tackle illegal mining and child labour in mining communities.
The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, announced the measures at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital, on Friday.
Elayo said the decision followed concerns over the dangers associated with illegal mining, particularly in the wake of the reported deaths of several suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.
She said the state government would no longer allow young residents or other individuals to engage in illegal mining activities that put lives at risk and contribute to environmental degradation.
According to the commissioner, the special monitoring team has been empowered to visit mining communities and sites across Nasarawa State and arrest individuals or entities operating without the necessary licences and government clearance.
She said the move formed part of renewed efforts to sanitise the mining sector, protect children’s rights and prevent the exploitation of minors at mining sites.
Elayo expressed concern that children were being used as labourers at artisanal mining sites in some parts of the state, exposing them to health risks and depriving them of access to education.
She disclosed that the ministry had received reports of mining sites in Wamba, Nasarawa-Eggon and Kokona Local Government Areas where children were allegedly being exposed to hazardous conditions.
“Henceforth, no child below the age of 18 is allowed to be found at any mining site in Nasarawa State, either as a labourer, errand runner or food vendor,” Elayo said.
The commissioner warned that the government would enforce the ban across all mining communities in the state and take action against those found violating the directive.
