By: John Bassey, Zamfara.
Zamfara State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has initiated a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders.
The state government has engaged federal mining officers, Emirates council members, security personnel, and gold sellers to regulate mining operations.
The Commissioner of the Ministry, Alhaji Kasimu Sani Kaura, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Rilwanu Musa Zurmi, made this announcement during a meeting with key stakeholders from the mining sector.
Sani Kaura emphasized the government’s commitment to support artisanal miners by encouraging them to register as cooperatives, enabling them to work closely with the government.
The Ministry also instructed gold buyers in the state to educate their partners on the importance of forming cooperatives and urged all registered miners to coordinate with Federal Mining officers after registering with the state Ministry of Environment.
The state government has initiated the development of climate change policy and integrated landscape policies to help in protecting our environment.
He said, the policies were also initiated to regulate environmental activities in the state.
Speaking earlier, the Federal Mine Officer, Samuel Abu Nima, highlighted that Zamfara gold faces challenges in global markets due to concerns about its source from illegal miners, emphasizing the need for proper registration and compliance with regulations.
Illegal mining is considered an economic crime, and artisanal miners are encouraged to collaborate with existing cooperative companies for lawful operations.
Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Gado Mai-Gari, commended the Ministry’s efforts in addressing mining issues and suggested demarcating areas rich in gold to prevent illegal mining activities by non-local miners.
In their various remarks, representatives, including the police, NCDC, and the Public Relations Officer of gold buyers, voiced their support for regulating artisanal miners through cooperative groupings for effective operations.