In line with Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s cardinal policies emphasizing traceability, transparency, and accountability and in response to the alarming state of operations in the mining sector, the Enugu State Government, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining, has initiated a comprehensive formalization of mining activities across the state. This strategic initiative aims to safeguard lives, enforce regulatory compliance, and ensure fair revenue distribution for host communities and the state.
Over the past few years, the state has tragically lost over twenty lives in mining pits, largely due to poor safety practices, lack of accountability, and the unregulated nature of the sector. Investigations into these fatalities have been largely absent, leaving affected families and communities without closure or justice.
*Addressing These Gaps: A Unified Regulatory Approach
The current unstructured operations in sand mining have created an environment where rules are ignored, safety measures are non-existent, and revenues due to both the government and local communities go unpaid. To remedy this, the state government is launching a formalization initiative that includes the following:
*1. Mandatory Registration and Unionization for Enhanced Oversight and Accountability:
All operators in sand, laterite, and mudstone mines, pit owners, mine union workers, evacuation units (tipper operators), excavator and artisan operators and the Miners Association of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, are now required to register with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources. Each pit must maintain and submit a comprehensive list of its workers to the Ministry to ensure proper oversight and accountability.
*2. Establishment of Unified Burrow pit Owners Union:
To strengthen collective accountability, a standardized and recognized Union of Burrow Pit Owners has been established. This union will serve as a centralized body for coordinating and maintaining records of all registered pits and their personnel. The Ministry emphasizes that all forms of careless and irresponsible mining practices will no longer be tolerated.
*3. Mandatory Ministerial Oversight on Price Adjustments in the Mining Sector:
Any review or adjustment of prices by units operating within the mining sector must be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources. This measure is instituted to maintain transparency and fairness, prevent arbitrary pricing, and ensure alignment with established regulatory and economic standards.
*4. Enforcement of Safety Standards:
Every pit must adhere to safety measures developed by certified safety experts. Regular inspections and safety reports will be required to assess the structural integrity of pits. Operations in collapsing or hazardous pits will be suspended to prevent further loss of life.
*5. Payment of Royalties and Levies:
Operators will be required to pay appropriate royalties and levies. These include community development levies to ensure that host communities benefit from the resources extracted from their land—an issue that has long been a source of tension and conflict.
*6. Establishment of Community Mining Committees and Implementation of Transparency Measures:
All mining communities are required to establish a Community Mining Committee within seven (7) days from the date of this notice. Once formed, the list of committee members must be submitted to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Mineral and Mining for official inauguration.
