Nigeria’s Illegal Mining Crisis Fuels Health and Environmental Disasters, Experts Urge Immediate Action

By Abdullahi Lukman

The Nigerian government has reinforced its ban on mining activities in Zamfara State following a recent outbreak of lead poisoning in the Bugundu Local Government Area, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by illegal mining.

Authorities are demanding that all illegal miners vacate the state’s mining sites immediately and have made it clear that the suspension of mining activities will continue until formal guidelines for the sector’s reopening are issued.

This latest incident of lead poisoning has raised alarm among health and environmental experts, who have linked it to the hazardous practices of illegal miners.

Lead poisoning, which has severe consequences, especially for children, can cause long-term damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.

The Ministry of Health’s Information Officer, Suleiman Isa, confirmed that a team of medical and environmental specialists has been deployed to investigate the scope of the contamination in the area.

This health crisis is not an isolated event. Zamfara State has long been a hotspot for illegal mining activities, which have led to several deadly outbreaks of lead poisoning.

In 2010, over 400 children died from lead contamination caused by unsafe and illegal gold mining practices.

The disaster was one of the worst lead poisoning incidents recorded globally. In 2017, the Emir of Bukkuyum reported that 300 children in the Yar Galma community also lost their lives due to exposure to lead from illegal mining.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, expressed strong criticism of the ongoing illegal mining, blaming it for the recent health emergency.

He also emphasized that the six-year-old ban on mining in Zamfara should have prevented such incidents, adding that the failure of authorities to enforce the ban has allowed illegal mining to flourish.

“We must work together to rid all areas of illegal miners to protect the lives of innocent citizens endangered by the desperation of a few individuals,” Dr. Alake said.

The environmental consequences of illegal mining extend far beyond health concerns. In addition to lead poisoning, illegal mining has caused significant environmental damage across Nigeria, including erosion, soil degradation, and contamination of rivers and water sources.

A recent study by the *Journal of King Saud University* warned that environmental pollution from mining activities, especially heavy metals, is an escalating global issue.

In Nigeria, where many mining operations are unregulated, these toxic materials often leach into surrounding environments, threatening ecosystems and the health of local communities.

In areas like Osun and Nasarawa States, illegal mining has led to water contamination, with rivers polluted by mercury, cyanide, and lead.

In Nasarawa, chemical discharge from a mining company has caused severe health problems, including the deaths of nine children.

Local communities have reported that the contamination has made rivers undrinkable, further exacerbating the public health crisis.

Health experts have also raised concerns about occupational illnesses among illegal miners, many of whom work in hazardous conditions without protective equipment.

Diseases such as pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, and silicosis are common among those exposed to toxic dust and chemicals.

Dr. Nyam Azi, a medical expert, highlighted the lack of safety measures and medical support for miners, adding that these workers are at risk of serious long-term health issues due to their exposure to dangerous mining practices.

Environmentalists and scientists are calling for urgent reforms to address the destructive effects of illegal mining.

They stress the need for modern, sustainable mining practices, such as the use of advanced technologies for waste management, water treatment, and site reclamation.

Dr. Fidelis Onwuagba, a geoscientist at the University of Kansas, pointed out that in countries with stricter regulations, pollution caused by mining has been significantly reduced.

He emphasized the importance of technologies like remote sensing, in-situ recovery, and dry stacking to prevent contamination and minimize environmental impact.

“The Nigerian government must adopt these modern mining techniques to reduce pollution and protect the environment,” Dr. Onwuagba said.

“Real-time monitoring, waste management, and reclamation efforts are critical to ensuring that mining activities are conducted in a safe and sustainable manner.”

As Nigeria continues to battle the devastating effects of illegal mining, experts are urging the government to strengthen enforcement, regulate artisanal mining operations, and implement long-term solutions to protect both public health and the environment. With the ongoing risks to ecosystems, water sources, and local communities, the need for immediate and comprehensive action is more urgent than ever.

Punch newspaper