Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria: In a significant move highlighting the Nigerian government’s intensified efforts to curb illegal mining and ensure accountability, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed a mine in Libata, Kebbi State. The operation targets Three Crown Mines, a company accused of illegally extracting lithium valued at an estimated ₦1.43 trillion over a two-year period, in collaboration with unnamed foreign nationals. This decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to sanitizing the nation’s solid minerals sector and protecting its vital resources.
The sealing of the mine comes amidst allegations that Three Crown Mines violated key provisions of the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act and the 2011 Nigerian Mining Regulations. Regulators revealed that the company significantly exceeded the scope of its Small Scale Mining License (SSML) and Exploration License, encroaching upon areas legally designated to another titleholder. Such illicit activities not only contravene national laws but also deprive the Nigerian government of substantial revenue, undermining the legal framework designed to govern the exploitation of its mineral wealth.
The NSCDC’s specialized Mining Marshals are spearheading the ongoing investigation. John Onoja, Assistant Commandant of Corps and Commander of the Mining Marshals, emphasized the “zero tolerance” policy towards mineral theft, asserting that it is a non-compoundable offense. He dismissed the directors of Three Crown Mines’ failure to appear for questioning as “inconvenient,” signaling the authorities’ unwavering resolve to pursue justice.
This recent crackdown aligns directly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and specific directives issued by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake. The government views the sanitization of the mining sector as non-negotiable, a stance strongly reiterated by Abubakar Audi, NSCDC Commandant-General, who stressed the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding national prosperity.
The sealing of the Kebbi mine follows a similar robust enforcement action where the Ministry of Solid Minerals imposed a N2 billion fine on Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company for comparable infractions. These coordinated efforts by various government agencies aim to instill order and transparency in a sector historically plagued by illicit operations.
The focus on lithium is particularly pertinent, given its crucial role in global energy transition technologies. Nigeria’s abundant lithium deposits are central to its economic diversification strategy. The government’s proactive measures are designed to prevent unchecked exploitation that threatens to deplete national revenue and compromise the nation’s sovereignty over its natural resources. This action serves as a clear warning to all illicit operators that the era of impunity in Nigeria’s mining sector is definitively over.
SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES
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