The Federal Capital Territory Administration has stepped up surveillance of mining and quarry operations across the territory as part of efforts to ensure strict adherence to safety, environmental and operational regulations.
Through the Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters (DSMAM), the administration carried out inspections at selected quarry and mining sites in Bwari Area Council, with a focus on protecting lives, preserving the environment and ensuring operators comply with approved mining standards.
Timothy Shemang, Deputy Director, Quarry and Economic Ecology Division, who led one of the inspection teams, said the exercise was part of the FCTA’s responsibility to regulate mining operations and ensure that activities are conducted safely within the territory.
He explained that the inspection covered several areas of compliance, including workplace safety, the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental management practices and the possession of required statutory documents.
Shemang said the team also checked the validity of operators’ licences, surface rent receipts and mine clearance permits as part of the assessment.
According to him, while the FCTA was committed to maintaining a cordial and transparent relationship with mining operators, it would take firm action against companies and individuals engaged in illegal operations.
“Any operator who fails to pay surface rent or obtain the required clearance permit risks sanctions, including suspension or closure,” he said.
He further stated that the administration would ensure strict implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) approved for mining activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
The inspection was conducted against the backdrop of growing concerns about unregulated quarrying and its possible consequences for the environment, particularly as recent geological incidents have highlighted the importance of strengthening oversight of industrial rock blasting in vulnerable locations.
While some of the inspected sites were found to have met the required standards, others received compliance notices directing them to correct deficiencies involving PPE use, safety signage and documentation.
Shemang called on mining operators to work closely with the department, noting that compliance with established safety measures was critical to protecting employees and communities hosting mining operations.
He assured that DSMAM would sustain its monitoring activities across the territory to ensure the FCT’s mineral resources are managed responsibly in ways that support industrial harmony, safeguard the public and promote environmental sustainability.
