Ebonyi State shuts down three illegal mining sites

New Telegraph reports that Ebonyi state government has shut down illegal mining in Amaeka Ezza south local government area, Enyigba in Abakaliki local government and Ikwo local government areas of the state.

According to New Telegraph, the Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development, Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu disclosed this during a meeting with informal miners in the affected illegal mining sites.

“We have received reports of illegal mining activities going on in the state particularly in Amaeka, Enyigba and Ikwo.And because of this hazardous nature and risk involved in the act, the governor has directed that those places be closed until the illegal miners are made to obey the law of the land,” he said.

He disclosed that the state government had banned informal mining in the nights as any truck caught in the night with any of the Ebonyi mineral deposits will be impounded and the driver arrested, warning the informal miners to stop sabotaging the government. He urged them to come to the state solid mineral development to register to stop sabotaging the government.

He stressed the need for government decision to come up with a legislation to check illegal mining in the state, adding that the ministry will soon embarked on strict monitoring of mining sites in the state and called on those who indulge in the act of informal mining activities to desist, stressing that the state will not spare any sacred cow.

Source: New Telegraph