The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has directed the immediate closure of an illegal gold mining site discovered in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The order followed intelligence reports of renewed unlawful mining activities on farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada, where artisanal miners allegedly invaded after the accidental discovery of a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the Minister warned that the government would not tolerate illegal mining, stressing that enforcement and remediation efforts were already underway.
Dr. Alake also cautioned residents to avoid the affected areas while security and regulatory agencies carry out their operations.
The development comes after a previous operation on August 16, when mine marshals recovered and sealed another illegal mining site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada.
During an on-the-spot assessment of the latest site, the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by Deputy Director Sunday Okhuoya, expressed satisfaction with the compliance level.
Meanwhile, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, confirmed that a 24-hour surveillance has been established at the affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing investigation.
