Engr. Mayowa Omosebi, the Federal Mines Officer in Cross River State, in conjunction with the state Commissioner for Mineral Resources and security officials, have apprehended several illegal miners, confiscated their equipment, and shut down their mining operations.
The events unfolded on Wednesday during a visit by the taskforce to identified sites, where illicit mining activities were uncovered.
The crackdown was a joint operation involving representatives from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Cross River State Government.
Over the past few years, there has been a surge in illegal mining activities in the Cross River National Park and surrounding communities, prompting concerns from various stakeholders and civil society organizations about the environmental and societal impact.
The arrested individuals were found to be exploiting mineral resources in multiple communities without the necessary authorization, leading to environmental degradation and community disruption.
The taskforce emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to combat the growing problem of illegal mining in the state and highlighted the potential long-term consequences on the local ecosystem and communities if left unchecked.
Addressing the media, Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr. Effiom Ekaha, revealed that following intelligence reports, the Governor had ordered a crackdown on illegal mining in collaboration with federal authorities to tackle environmental degradation, economic losses, and security threats associated with illicit mining activities.
The state government reaffirmed its determination to prevent further harm to the ecosystem and neighboring areas by curbing illegal mining activities.
During the inspection, the taskforce discovered a vandalized artisanal mineral processing plant, much to the disappointment of Mr. Effiom Ekaha, who emphasized its potential to empower local youth and reduce mineral imports.
Efforts to increase the economic value in the mining sector were also highlighted by the task force.
In addition, the task force visited an illegal quarry site in Njua Bano, Boki LGA, and an unauthorized sand dredging site in Mfom 2, Yala LGA, operated by individuals from other states without the knowledge of the government.