The Niger State Government has lifted its ban on mining activities, a year after it was imposed by Governor Umaru Bago.

Acting Governor Yakubu Garba announced the decision at the Government House in Minna, detailing new conditions that mining companies must adhere to before resuming operations.

Garba stated that mining companies are now required to undergo a profiling process through the State Ministry of Mineral Resources.

This measure aims to curb insecurity, prevent illegal mining, and mitigate revenue losses by enabling the state government to monitor and regulate mining activities more effectively.

In conjunction with the lifting of the ban, the acting governor established a task force dedicated to tackling illegal mining in the state. This task force, comprising representatives from various government and security agencies as well as community leaders, will focus on identifying illegal miners, eliminating child labor at mining sites, and verifying the legitimacy of mineral titles.

Niger State, according to the mining cadastre office, has issued 578 mineral titles, with 369—representing 81.46%—allocated for gold mining. The largest gold deposits are found in the Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi local government areas, which are also plagued by banditry. The state government had previously associated the surge in banditry in these regions with mining activities, leading to the imposition of last year’s ban.

The conditional lifting of the mining ban aims to promote economic growth while enhancing security measures, ensuring that mining operations contribute positively to the state’s development without aggravating local security issues.