An expert on mineral exploration and exploitation, Engineer Abel Ozigi yesterday disclosed that the Kogi State Government loses over N240billion yearly through illegal mining activities.
Ozigi, who is the Senior Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor on Project Liaison and Management, made this known in Lokoja while presenting a paper at the maiden stakeholders’ meeting organised by Kogi State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).
He said apart from unquantifiable economic loss, non-compliance to labour law, environmental degradation and avoidable communal conflicts which in most cases lead to death are some of the reasons why relevant authorities ought to expediently rise to seek lasting solution to illegal mining activities.
According to him, pollution from mining and related activities has a detrimental impact on the environment.
Chairman, Kogi State MIREMCO, Hajiya Hassiat Ozavize Suleiman, explained that the committee was established to act as synergy between Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, state, local government areas, mineral title-holders and host communities.
