The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to enforce stricter compliance with mining regulations, making it mandatory for mining and quarry companies operating in the state to reclaim abandoned mining pits, honour Community Development Agreements (CDAs), improve workers' welfare and comply with environmental standards.
The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Magnus Chinedu Nkah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a familiarization tour of quarry and mining sites in Ishielu and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of the state.
The inspection tour, undertaken alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, and other senior officials, was aimed at assessing the operations of mining companies, evaluating their compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and examining their relationships with host communities.
Addressing journalists after the tour, Nkah declared that the era of weak regulatory oversight in Ebonyi's mining sector was over, warning operators that the state government would no longer tolerate environmental degradation, poor community relations or revenue leakages.
"The key message we have conveyed is that it is no longer business as usual. Mining companies must operate responsibly, be accountable to their host communities and partner with the government to eliminate revenue leakages," he said.
The commissioner stressed that every mining company would henceforth be required to reclaim mining pits before vacating any operational site, describing abandoned pits as environmental hazards responsible for avoidable accidents and loss of lives.
"We are making it mandatory for all Community Development Agreements to incorporate pit reclamation. There have been cases where people and even vehicles unknowingly fell into abandoned mining pits. Human lives are too valuable for companies to pursue profit without taking responsibility for the environment they leave behind," Nkah stated.
He also expressed concern over what he described as poor welfare conditions for workers in some of the mining firms visited during the inspection.
"The welfare of workers is equally important because these workers are our people. Many companies have not paid sufficient attention to their welfare. We also observed that safety standards in some operational sites are grossly inadequate and must be significantly improved," he added.
Nkah criticised what he described as inadequate Community Development Agreements executed by some mining firms, particularly with respect to scholarship provisions and delays in implementing agreed community development projects.
"You witnessed a situation where a major company made a very insignificant provision for scholarships. That is unacceptable. We cannot continue to accept Community Development Agreements that shortchange our people. Companies must faithfully implement every obligation contained in those agreements without unnecessary delays," he said.
According to the commissioner, the ministry will soon issue compliance templates and deadlines to mining operators, while a special task force will be established to monitor operations, enforce regulatory compliance and eliminate revenue leakages within the sector.
"We are going to establish a task force to monitor the activities of mining companies and ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements. Environmental Impact Assessment reports, Community Development Agreements and every statutory obligation will be closely monitored," he said.
Nkah further warned that the transportation of mineral resources at night remains illegal, stressing that the government would intensify enforcement against violators.
During interactions with management of the mining firms, the commissioner urged operators to go beyond the minimum requirements of their Community Development Agreements by initiating additional community-based projects capable of improving the living standards of residents in their host communities.
He also advised companies to strengthen the structural integrity of their operational facilities and enhance workplace safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Barr. Samuel Nkwede, said the familiarisation tour was in line with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's commitment to promoting responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly exploitation of Ebonyi State's abundant mineral resources.
He explained that the inspection was designed to evaluate the level of compliance by mining companies with environmental regulations, payment of statutory taxes and royalties, implementation of Community Development Agreements and reclamation of mined-out sites in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.
"The purpose of this visit is to ascertain the extent to which these companies comply with Environmental Impact Assessment requirements, reclaim mined-out pits after operations, pay all statutory taxes and royalties due to government and fulfil their obligations under the Community Development Agreements with their host communities," Nkwede said.
At one of the inspected sites, representatives of the host community acknowledged that the mining company had executed several community development projects, including road rehabilitation, borehole construction and plans to provide electricity, while appealing to the state government to address market-related challenges affecting mining operations.
The commissioner assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to engage mining operators and host communities to ensure that mining activities contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Ebonyi State without compromising environmental sustainability, public safety or the welfare of citizens.
The companies visited during the inspection included Gemrock Quarry Investment Limited, Sheny Long Mining Company, Woda Quarry Site, Top-Trust Quarry Site, Ideke Engineering Limited, Master-Rock Quarry, among others.
Speaking on behalf of their respective organisations, company representatives and managers, including Stephen Onwe, Jamie Zhao, Ejike Atam, Andrew Vvancy, Nnamdi Nwandu and Ifeanyi Njoku, among others, commended the commissioner and his team for the inspection, describing it as timely and constructive.
They pledged to address identified operational deficiencies, strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements and sustain a productive partnership with the Ebonyi State Government to promote responsible mining practices and deliver greater benefits to host communities, local government areas, the state and the nation at large.
