December 08, (THEWILL) — The Miners Association of Nigeria has faulted the Northern States Governors’ Forum over its proposal for a six-month nationwide suspension of mining activities, warning that such a decision would worsen insecurity, empower illegal operators, and trigger massive job losses.
In a statement on Monday signed by its National President, Dele Ayankale, and National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, the association said the proposed ban would undermine legitimate mining businesses while doing little to address the drivers of insecurity.
The NSGF had demanded a temporary halt to mining after recent abductions and deadly attacks, arguing that illegal mining fuels terrorism and insisting that the suspension would allow a review of mining licences with state participation.
But the Miners Association countered that lawful mining operations have no ties to terrorism, stressing that only illegal operators—who work outside regulatory control—have been linked to criminal financing and money laundering.
Ayankale cited the 2019 mining ban in Zamfara State as a failed experiment, noting that the suspension did not curb insecurity but instead contributed to the spread of banditry across Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Kebbi states.
“It is the disorderly, illegal mining that is conducted without licences and government regulation that practices money laundering and fuels insecurity. A clear distinction must be made between legal and illegal mining,” he said.
The association warned that halting legal mining would punish genuine investors and workers while giving criminals unfettered access to mineral-rich sites, where they could strengthen their networks and trade minerals for arms.
MAN further noted that the governors’ proposal could derail the Tinubu administration’s reforms aimed at attracting investment into the solid minerals sector, reversing gains made in reducing regulatory bottlenecks and improving Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Ayankale explained that accredited miners adhere to strict environmental and safety standards and constantly collaborate with security agencies. Legitimate operators, he added, also contribute to rural development through mandatory Community Development Agreements.
Describing the governors’ stance as “unfortunate and highly unpatriotic,” the association urged them to strengthen the Mining Marshals and other official structures combating illegal mining instead of advocating broad restrictions on licensed operators.
MAN also condemned calls for a revalidation of mining licences, arguing that such demands amount to an attempt at resource control, which contradicts the constitution placing mineral resources under the Exclusive Legislative List.
The association appealed to President Bola Tinubu to weigh the economic and security implications of suspending mining, warning that forcing thousands of workers into unemployment could drive more youths into crime—ultimately worsening the insecurity the governors claim to be fighting.
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