Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reviewed Executive Order 001 of 2025, which temporarily halted all mining activities across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Jos, Governor Mutfwang emphasised that the suspension was not taken lightly, nor intended to harm or deprive citizens of their legitimate livelihoods.
“I recognise that Plateau State has been central to Nigeria’s mining heritage since 1902. The rise of large-scale mining on the Plateau spurred economic growth, industrial progress, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and infrastructure development,” he said.
The governor expressed concern over the growing number of young people abandoning education to engage in artisanal mining, a trend exposing them to exploitation, drug abuse, prostitution, and severe health risks.
Following a comprehensive review based on recommendations from a technical committee, 159 companies have been cleared to resume mining operations in the state.
These include six fully licensed mining companies, 15 small-scale mining leases, 15 exploration licences, five artisanal and small-scale mining permits, one quarry lease, and 118 tin sheds or buying centres across Plateau.
Governor Mutfwang warned that any operator or individual not cleared by the committee must refrain from all mining activities, as the suspension remains fully in force for non-compliant parties.
The list of compliant operators will be publicly released, and those cleared are required to collect their clearance letters from the office of the Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development.