By Luka Binniyat
FOLLOWING the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, after crude, illegal mining of gold in some villages lead to the death of at least 223 people  from lead poisoning last June, the Governor of Zamfara state, Alh. Mohammed Aliyu  Shinkafi last week told the Federal government that his people have learnt their lesson and appealed for lifting of the ban.

The Governor made the appeal to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Sani Sada in Abuja last week.
The Minister who did not made a commitment on the request, however informed the Governor that he had visited the United States government on behalf of the Federal Government to sought for assistance for the affected villages.

It could be recalled that The incident of  outbreak of Lead poison was noticed by accident last May  An immunisation team had arrived some of the villages in Anka and Bukuyu LGAs and noticed that some villages had been wiped out of children.

This discovery was what led to findings that the unsafe processing of gold ore bearing lead, led to the death,
The Federal Government then swiftly placed a ban on mining activities in the state since then, while tackling the problem.

Addressing the Minister, the Governor said, “the purpose of my visit was to brief the Honourable Minister on the progress report on the lead poison incident and to solicit for the lifting of the ban on mining activities in my state”, he said.

“The situation is under control as a result of the prompt medical attention and public enlightenment campaign we have embarked upon in collaboration with some  non-governmental agencies on the dangers of the crude methods of mining and processing gold in the state.”, he said

“Miners in Zamfara are using better methods of Mining and processing solid mineral resources in the state now
“Miners are now enlightened on the use of Kits, hand gloves, cover Coats and boots in Mining and Processing of  Solid Minerals”, he said.

The Governor disclosed that the victims in the lead poison incident received treatment for 28 days before they were   healed and discharged from the Bukkuyum General Hospital “Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in the State are now forming cooperatives under the leadership of enlightened indigenes of the State to access Federal Government assistance and the World Bank grant for the sustainable development of the mining industry”, he told his host.

“I want to seek for the assistance of the Honourable Minister   to lift the ban on mining in the state as the directive is affecting our means of livelihood”, he said:

“We have so many labourers waiting and many other stakeholders are idle now. So that is why, Honourable Minister, I come with a letter for you to lift the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State ”.

The Governor disclosed that removal of the contaminated top soil in the affected two villages had been completed and being replaced with good soil and affected buildings are  being cemented.

Alhaji Shinkafi thanked the Federal Government and Non-governmental agencies for their cooperation and support to the people and government of Zamfara State during the lead poison incident.

In his response, the Minister said that he was very happy with the governor’s visit. He said that since he visited Zamfara State in June 2010 as a result of the incident, the Ministry has been doing quite a lot to prevent the re-occurrence in other parts of the country.
“I went to Washington in the United State of America to brief the World Bank that sponsors our Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project on that issue and sought for assistance for the affected villages and victims”, he said
“I also met with other management staff of the Ministry visited the Department of State in Washington , for assistance in the draft of the Minerals and Mining Regulation of Nigeria”, he said.

He added that the US government had accepted to assist Nigeria in that regards.
He disclosed that members of the US team will meet with him next week to finalize the issue on the draft regulation.

The Minister noted that one major problem in the Mining industry is infrastructure. Consequently, he disclosed that the Ministry was discussing with the World Bank for additional funding to address that challenge as well.

The Minister then used the occasion to inform the governor about a  of Mines and Steel Development stakeholders’ forum scheduled this month in Abuja .

Arc. Sada explained that the essence of the forum is to enlighten and sensitize miners and all other stakeholders on safety, the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act for sustainable development of the Nigerian mining industry.
The Minister explained that the stakeholders forum  would also address issues on mining safety.

“After the stakeholders’ for a,  possibilities of the lifting of ban on mining operations in your state would be considered for the operators to continue mining activities”, he said.

According to Sada, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development had concluded arrangements to start discussion  with Mining Title holders  with a view to encouraging them to use their titles efficiently.

“We would start our dialogue with the Mining Title holders in Zamfara State and remind them of the “use it or loose it” clause in the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act.

“ If a Mining Title holder is taking care of his title no informal, miner will come and mine in his area of operation”, he said

“We believe if we are able to implement that provision of the Act, the issue of informal mining and unwholesome practices will be eradicated.

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