The Federal Government of Nigeria has said two Chinese nationals have been charged to court for illegal mining of gold in Ondo State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, said the two Chinese, one Kogi State indigene and four other suspects were arrested in Ogunlepa’s Forest Reserve in Ondo.
In a statement on Monday, Alake stated that he is committed to ridding the mining sector of criminal elements and illegal activities.
Alake said, “We are dedicated to sanitizing the mining sector and have charged suspected illegal miners recently arrested in Kogi and Ondo states. This includes two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian in Kogi, along with four suspects caught illegally mining gold in Ondo’s Ogunlepa Forest Reserve. All have been charged in the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“A key element of my commitment to eliminating illegal mining is enhancing our Mining Marshals’ operations through technology and satellite monitoring.”
The Minister of Solid Mineral further advised all illegal miners to quit and regularize their operations. He noted that he would not back down from prosecuting illegal miners.
“I urge anyone involved in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) and regularize their operations. Our resolve to take decisive action against illegal activities is unwavering, and we will maintain zero tolerance for any form of illegality,” Alake stated on his X account.