The outcry from communities in Osun and Ekiti states regarding the destructive activities of illegal miners is a pressing concern. These miners have invaded vast areas of land, displacing farmers, degrading the environment, and robbing communities and the government of valuable natural resources. Both states must act swiftly to prevent the dire consequences associated with unregulated mineral exploitation.

Reports from gold-rich areas like Idoko, Ibala, Itagunmodi, Iponda, Araromi, and other communities in the Ijesa region of Osun State depict the devastating impact of illegal mining. These miners, many displaced from Zamfara following military operations, have descended on areas such as Arimoro and Isale General in Ilesa, as well as several rural communities in Obokun, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, and Oriade local government areas. The situation is similar in Ijero LGA of Ekiti State, where unauthorized miners extract gold, limestone, columbite, and other valuable minerals in violation of Nigeria’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and Minerals and Mining Regulation, 2011.

Illegal mining, if not quickly curbed, can lead to serious consequences such as violent crimes, banditry, and terrorism, as witnessed in Zamfara State. In Zamfara, illegal mining has been linked to the rise in banditry, which has engulfed the entire North-West region. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 armed criminals in Zamfara alone, many of whom are tied to illegal mining operations. Security forces have confirmed alliances between these bandits and Islamist terrorist groups. To avoid similar chaos, Osun and Ekiti states must take immediate action to halt criminal activity and safeguard their natural resources.

Osun State must also address allegations that some traditional rulers and community leaders are complicit in illegal mining activities. Reports suggest that these leaders have seized farmland from locals and sold it to Chinese, Malian, and Nigerien nationals, who act as fronts for politically connected individuals. Stolen gold is routinely smuggled to the United Arab Emirates via neighboring countries such as Niger and Togo. Customs seizures of smuggled gold at Nigerian and Emirati airports further confirm the booming illegal trade.

Governors of Osun and Ekiti should show decisive leadership by protecting their citizens from the harassment and criminality unleashed by illegal miners. These miners, often armed and flush with cash, pose a significant threat not only to the states but to the entire southern region. Allegations of arrested culprits being freed should be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate punishments should be meted out to deter future violations.

The environmental and health impacts of illegal mining are severe. In 2010, unregulated gold mining in Zamfara caused a lead poisoning crisis that resulted in the deaths of over 500 children. The long-term health effects of such activities include permanent learning and behavioral problems, as well as brain damage. Unregulated mining also leads to soil contamination, water pollution, and biodiversity loss, as well as economic losses by reducing soil fertility and limiting land available for agriculture.

To combat these issues, the federal and state governments should formalize the activities of artisanal miners, improve mining infrastructure through public-private partnerships, and attract private investment. An estimated 80 percent of mining in the North-West is conducted illegally, with artisanal miners producing approximately 10 tonnes of gold annually. These miners sell gold at 70-80 percent of the international price, further exacerbating the problem.

Nigeria possesses 44 types of untapped minerals, including gold, tin, and zinc, but the federal structure, which places mining under the exclusive legislative list, has hindered state governments from fully utilizing these resources. The 2016 Mining Growth Roadmap estimates that Nigeria has 200 million ounces of untapped gold reserves, scattered across 13 states, including Osun. Properly developed, these reserves could generate trillions of dollars in revenue.

Despite the vast potential, the mining sector’s contribution to national revenue remains insignificant. From January to August 2021, Nigeria earned only N2.44 billion from minerals and mining, which is less than one percent of the N754.16 billion earned from oil during the same period. Experts believe that gold mining in Zamfara alone could bring in $1 billion annually. However, Nigeria continues to lose $9 billion annually to illegal mining operations, with only a small percentage of revenue coming from the three percent royalty paid by licensed miners.

Between 2012 and 2018, the United Nations Comtrade data revealed that about 97 tonnes of gold, valued at over $3 billion, were illegally smuggled out of Nigeria. Accelerated implementation of the Presidential Gold Mining Development Initiative could generate substantial revenue and create jobs.

To solve its ongoing revenue shortfalls, boost employment, and prevent criminal activity, Nigeria must focus on its mining sector. State governments should capitalize on federal concessions encouraging joint ventures and investment in mining. The time to act is now, to protect both the nation’s resources and its people from the destructive impacts of illegal mining.