Social and cultural sensitivities have been identified as major obstacles to the eradication of illegal and unregulated mining activities in the country.
Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, stated this to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
He explained that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence are working closely to curb illegal mining operations.
Alake warned that the government has deployed law enforcement agencies through mine marshals, unveiling a two thousand two hundred strong paramilitary to smoke out illegal miners and those who defy the country’s mining laws.
The minister added that out of the 320 illegal miners arrested in recent months, about 150 are currently facing prosecution, while 9, including four foreigners, had been convicted.
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Minerals