The government of Enugu State has banned all illegal mining operations in the state.
The ban was announced in a statement issued on Thursday night by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government.
The government issued a warning against disobeying the order, threatening severe repercussions for any illicit miners currently operating in the state.
The government observed that it was in the overriding interest of the public to protect the people from any hazard or pollution, and also maintain equal rights of benefits accruable from any mineral resources to the people of the state.
The statement partly read: “Following the directive by His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, on the report of the discovery of mineral resources in some communities in Enugu State; and the illegal mining of such mineral resources in those communities without the authorization/consent of the State Government, I hereby direct that all illegal mining activities in Enugu State should stop with immediate effect.”
