The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has announced that two Chinese nationals have been charged in court for illegal gold mining activities in Ondo State.
Alake shared this development on his official X account on Monday, September 2, 2024.
He disclosed that the two Chinese nationals, along with a Nigerian from Kogi State and four other suspects, were apprehended in the Ogunlepa Forest Reserve in Ondo State.
The minister emphasized his commitment to eradicating criminal elements and illegal activities within the mining sector.
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He wrote, “We are dedicated to sanitizing the mining sector and have recently charged suspected illegal miners arrested in Kogi and Ondo states.
This includes two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian in Kogi, along with four suspects caught illegally mining gold in Ondo’s Ogunlepa Forest Reserve. All have been charged in the Federal High Court in Abuja.”
Alake also highlighted his strategy to tackle illegal mining, which includes strengthening the operations of Mining Marshals through the use of advanced technology and satellite monitoring.
“A key element of my commitment to eliminating illegal mining is enhancing our Mining Marshals’ operations through technology and satellite monitoring,” he added.
Furthermore, the Minister advised illegal miners to cease their activities and take steps to regularize their operations in compliance with the law.
He reiterated his determination to prosecute those who continue to engage in unlawful mining practices.
“I urge anyone involved in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) and regularize their operations. Our resolve to take decisive action against illegal activities is unwavering, and we will maintain zero tolerance for any form of illegality,” Alake affirmed in his statement.
We are dedicated to sanitizing the mining sector and have charged suspected illegal miners recently arrested in Kogi and Ondo states. This includes two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian in Kogi, along with four suspects caught illegally mining gold in Ondo’s Ogunlepa Forest… pic.twitter.com/njCv7oHJn4
— Dele Alake (@AlakeDele) September 2, 2024
and then