Plateau State Suspends Illegal Mining, Announces Sweeping Reforms to Secure Sector

The Plateau State Government has imposed an immediate suspension on all illegal mining activities through *Executive Order No. 001 of 2025*, marking a decisive push to address environmental harm, security threats, and economic losses tied to unlawful mineral extraction.  

State Commissioner for Environment, Peter Gwom, announced the measure on Tuesday in Jos, revealing that a *Technical Committee on Mining Reform* had been inaugurated to overhaul the sector. Chaired by Attorney General Philmon Dafi, the committee will enforce compliance with federal mining laws, including the *Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (2007)*, and formalize artisanal miners into regulated cooperatives.  

Dafi described the suspension as a “critical intervention” to root out rogue operators, restore accountability, and protect communities. “Illegal mining has devastated our environment, fueled insecurity, and denied the state vital revenue. This pause allows us to reset the sector for sustainable growth,” he stated.  

The committee’s mandate includes verifying mining licenses and Community Development Agreements (CDAs), reclaiming degraded lands, and creating a statewide database to monitor mining activities. Sensitization campaigns will also educate communities on legal practices, while security agencies intensify patrols to enforce the suspension.  

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, lauded journalists for their role in publicizing government efforts, urging continued media support to ensure citizen awareness. Meanwhile, local miners expressed cautious optimism, with artisanal miner Markus Bako noting, “Formalization could bring benefits, but the process must be fair and inclusive.”  

Plateau State, endowed with tin, gemstones, and tantalite, has long struggled with illegal mining syndicates accused of environmental violations and ties to criminal networks. The reforms aim to position the state as a model for responsible mining, balancing economic potential with ecological preservation.  

Dafi urged stakeholders, including traditional leaders and local government chairmen, to back the initiative, stressing it was “a strategic step toward shared prosperity, not a political maneuver.” A detailed roadmap for the sector’s revitalization is expected within 90 days.  

“This is not the end of mining in Plateau, but the dawn of an era where the sector serves all citizens, not just a privileged few,” Dafi declared.