Senate demands audit of licensed miners

The Senate has called the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to conduct a comprehensive audit of all licensed miners and their areas of operation across the country. 

The Senate’s decision was sequel to the growing incidence of mining accidents, including mine collapses and landslides.

The accidents have claimed lives and left many miners with permanent injuries without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.

In his lead debate, Senator Isah Jibrin said that victims of mining accidents, particularly families of deceased miners and those who suffer life-changing disabilities, are often left without any form of social protection despite the significant economic benefits generated from the country’s mineral resources.

 The Senate warned that the continued occurrence of mine collapses, unsafe mining practices and unstable geological conditions, particularly in the Ankpa Coal Block, could result in recurring fatalities, environmental degradation and the destruction of valuable mining assets if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

In order to address the situation, the lawmakers called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to develop a compulsory occupational accident insurance scheme covering all categories of miners, including artisanal and small-scale miners operating under recognised mining cooperatives and community mining arrangements.

Senate further implored the Federal Government to establish a mine rehabilitation and victims support fund to provide emergency medical treatment, rehabilitation services, compensation for injured miners, educational support for children of deceased miners and livelihood assistance for affected families.

The lawmakers also asked the Federal Government to establish a statutory mining workers’ compensation scheme, funded through mandatory contributions from licensed mining operators.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖