Three feared dead, many injured in Ebonyi mining pit collapse
A mining pit at Enyim Agalegu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State collapsed on Saturday, leaving at least three persons dead and many others sustaining varying degrees of injury.The incident, which happened on Saturday, occurred at a mining pit said to be operated by First Patriots Limited, formerly known as Royal Salt.Confirming the development on Sunday...
Niger State Govt orders closure of mining site over deadly attack
The Niger State Government has condemned Tuesday deadly attack at Zuzungi Kataeregi mining site in Katcha Local Government Area, during which a police officer was killed and a patrol van of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) burnt by suspected illegal miners. The government has consequently ordered its temporary closure, according to a statement on Friday by the...
SMDF begins 2026 training for staff of Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative
By Martha AgasThe Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has begun its 2026 training for the staff of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) to drive reforms in the gold mining sector.The training on professional ethics and personal effectiveness was part of a series of capacity-building programmes by the SMDF aimed at equipping PAGMI`s staff with the skills...
China rejects US accusation of illegal mining, terrorism funding in Nigeria
*Kwara State Government with Chinese investors at a recent MOU signing between both parties The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has rejected allegations linking Chinese mining companies to illegal mining activities and the funding of terrorism in Nigeria, describing the claims as false, “completely baseless” and damaging to China-Nigeria relations.In a press statement on Thursday, the embassy said a bill introduced...
FG vows to punish killers of NSCDC officer, kit marshals to combat illegal miners
*Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake* More weapons and equipment to boost the fire power of Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining are on the way, the Federal Government has assured. Reacting to the loss of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps during an operation to counter illegal mining in Niger State, Minister of Solid...
Illegal miners kill police officer, burn NSCDC patrol vehicle in Niger State
Suspected illegal miners on Tuesday launched attack on a joint security patrol team in Kataeregi (Zuzungi area) of Niger State. They killed one police officer and set an NSCDC Hilux vehicle ablaze during the attack. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun and the NSCDC Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, confirmed the incident. Aniviye in a press...
Choosing the Right Excavator Size for Nigerian Mining Operations
By Tokunbo AregbesolaAcross many Nigerian mining sites, a familiar pattern continues to repeat itself. A mine makes a heavy-capital investment in a large excavator, driven by the belief that bigger automatically means faster production and higher output. Months later, reality tells a different story: long idle hours, excessive fuel consumption, haul trucks struggling to keep pace, and operating costs...
Forging Gold, reclaiming genius: Thomas Akapo and Africa’s long road to minerals mastery
*AkapoFor nearly five decades, master goldsmith and diamond mounter, Thomas Owolabi Akapo, popularly known as Mr. Kapo, has worked at the highest levels of the global jewellery industry, from London’s elite workshops to structured skills-transfer programmes in Southern Africa. Trained through discipline and tenacity - synonymous with the transformation of the precious stone itself from its raw form to...
Osun Open for Mining Business with Ease of Doing Business and Security – Governor Adeleke
*Governor Ademola Adeleke* Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called on local and foreign investors to harness the State’s vast solid minerals potential, assuring them of policy stability, enhanced security and a significantly improved ease of doing business environment. The Governor made the call in Cape Town, South Africa, at a high-level dinner hosted by Romulus Mining on the sidelines...
Banditry and kidnapping in the north didn’t start in the mines – Abubakar Ganye
*Abubakar Ganye* Abubakar Ganye is the Secretary of Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. In this interview with The Miners, he disputed claims of illegal mining being responsible for the scourge banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria. QUE: Do you agree with those who say mining is actually responsible for the...
