Plateau Government Suspends Mining Activities

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has issued a directive suspending all mining activities in the state, citing security concerns linked to illegal mining operations.

The order, titled “Order No. 001 of 2025,” directed the immediate cessation of all mining activities, effective from February 21, 2025.

The decision comes in response to a surge in illegal mining, influx of unregulated foreign miners, and a corresponding increase in criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping, drug trafficking, among other vices across the state.

Governor Mutfwang, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, explained that the suspension was necessary to safeguard the security and well-being of citizens of the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the New Government House, Jos, Governor Mutfwang emphasized that the suspension would help limit access to mining sites to only licensed operators and prevent further criminal activities in these areas.

The meeting included key players in the mining industry, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and government officials. “Given the current security challenges, including illegal mining and criminal activities linked to it, the suspension of all mining activities is necessary to protect our people and restore order in Plateau State,” said Governor Mutfwang.

The suspension, as outlined in the order, covers all mining operations across the state, with no mining activity permitted until further notice. The state government is set to collaborate with the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive monitoring framework and facilitate co-operation between local governments, host communities, and mineral rights holders.

A full review of the security situation in mining areas will also be conducted, along with the development of Community Development Agreements (CDA) to ensure that local communities benefit economically from the state’s mining resources. Governor Mutfwang clarified that the suspension was not intended to undermine economic growth but to address the security risks associated with illegal mining activities.

“This suspension is a critical step to address the threats posed by illegal activities in mining areas and to ensure that Plateau’s resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of our people,” he stated. To oversee the reforms, Governor Mutfwang inaugurated a Technical Committee on Mining Reform, which will be chaired by the Commissioner of Justice, Philemon Daffi.

Other members of the committee include officials from the Ministry of Environment, Women Affairs and Social Development, the Gender Commission, the Nigerian Miners Association, Plateau Investment and Property Corporation (PIPC), and other stakeholders in the mining sector. The committee’s mandate includes verifying mining licenses, gathering data on mining sites, regulating illegal operations, and recommending designated mining areas to prevent residential encroachment.

This move by Governor Mutfwang comes at a time when concerns over security in Plateau State have reached a critical point, with illegal mining increasingly linked to organized criminal activities. The suspension of mining activities is seen as a necessary measure to restore peace and stability while ensuring that the state’s resources are managed sustainably.

The mining suspension is now in effect, with further updates expected as the state government works on implementing the reforms.