The Taraba State Government has arrested 50 and dispersed over 500 illegal miners in its ongoing fight against illegal mining in Gantu, a community in Mayo Kam, Bali Local Government Area.
According to the government, makeshift shelters used by the illegal miners were set ablaze in accordance with Order 6 of the state, aimed at regulating mining activities to boost economic development and ensure that the sector operates within the ambit of the law.
The chairman of Taraba State Task Force on Anti-Illegal Mining, Emmanuel Jamu, identified the Gantu community as the current hotspot for illegal gold mining, describing it as one of the busiest gold processing locations in Nigeria attracting large numbers of illegal miners from the Republic of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Bauchi and other states across the country.
Jamu disclosed that security personnel, including vigilantes, hunters, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the military, have been deployed to secure the cleared mining sites and prevent illegal miners from returning.
According to him, the governor has directed security agencies to arrest anyone found engaging in illegal mining activities. He added that 24 suspected illegal miners were recently returned to Zamfara State, while several mining machines and equipment used in the illegal operations were confiscated.
Jamu said many of the seized machines were intercepted while being transported to mining sites to commence illegal operations. He maintained that illegal mining activities have reduced significantly across Taraba State, noting that most illegal miners have now been driven out through sustained enforcement efforts.
