Authorities Target Illegal Mineral Operations in Niger State
Mine security officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have shut down seven suspected illegal mineral purchasing and processing sites in Kontagora, Niger State, for contravening the nation’s mining laws and regulations. This initiative reflects a broader effort to combat illegal mining activities and restore order within Nigeria’s solid mineral sector.
ACC John Onoja, Commandant of the Mines Security Forces, shared details of the operation in an official statement released in Abuja on Friday. The crackdown is seen as a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of the mining industry and ensuring compliance with existing regulations.
The enforcement action, conducted on June 12, 2026, specifically targeted companies including 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, and others. In the course of the operation, four individuals connected to the affected businesses were apprehended.
Preliminary investigations revealed that these companies operated mineral purchasing centers without the required approvals, sourcing strategic minerals from unidentified suppliers. This conduct violates the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011. Investigators reported that some representatives admitted to acquiring monazite from suppliers who only provided local government revenue receipts, ignoring the legal prerequisites like mining leases and mineral purchase permits.
Additionally, officials from Al Yaman Global Concepts Nigeria Limited and 17 Mines and Minerals Limited admitted to purchasing minerals without verifying suppliers’ legal authority to mine and sell. The lack of documentation supporting their legal standing raised further concerns about compliance within the sector.
The investigative team found no evidence substantiating that the involved companies held valid mineral purchase licenses or permits, critical for sourcing minerals from third parties. The report recommended a comprehensive verification of all claimed permits with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, along with an in-depth investigation of the identified suppliers.
Evidence from the investigation indicated potential regulatory breaches and raised suspicions about the origin of the minerals processed by these companies, suggesting a link to illegal mining operations. The report called for a thorough legal review, potential prosecution if criminal activities are confirmed, and federal confiscation of all recovered minerals, which could amount to millions of naira based on initial assessments.
Onoja affirmed that the Mines Security Bureau will continue its relentless pursuit of illegal operators within the mineral sector. He emphasized that the goal is to dismantle illicit mineral trading networks and promote strict adherence to Nigeria’s mining laws. He further stated that preventing markets for illegally mined minerals will be essential in curbing illegal mining activities in the country.
