18 Chinese Face Prosecution for illegal Mining

Eighteen Chinese are being prosecuted for engaging in illegal mining; while 36 Nigerians have been arrested for a similar crime.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, stated this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister noted that police were prosecuting handling the illegal miners. Fayemi explained that most cases of illegal mining were on gold and sapphire. He said one Dan China, a native of Bauchi State, was behind illegal mining in Plateau State.

He said: “About 36 were arrested and we have the mines police there, they are being prosecuted, I believe the police is handling that. Eighteen of the Chinese are being prosecuted.”

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Fayemi also stated that the council approved 10 policy and programme initiatives, including the Mining Regulatory Commission and the aero-magnetic survey of mineral deposits in Nigeria commissioned in 2006, but not delivered due to non-funding.

Photo Caption: Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi

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