The Kogi State Government has banned the issuance of consent letters to miners.
Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources Bashiru Gegu disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja while briefing journalists after a meeting between the state government and stakeholders in the mining sector.
“Community development agreements on mining must be vetted by the Kogi State Government before mining operations can take place across Kogi State. Any mining company going against the directive of the government will be sanctioned immediately.
“The Kogi State Government is determined to ensure that sanity is brought back to the mining sector across the state. The present administration will not relent to bring to book any individual or groups engaging in fraudulent activities concerning mining activities in Kogi State,” Gegu stated.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring sanity in the mining activities of the state.
He equally assured that the efforts of the state government are geared towards protecting the lives of people living around mining sites.
Gegu maintained that only approved miners engaged in legal mining activities with the communities would be protected and allowed to benefit from the activities of the mining around their communities.
