The Mining Marshals in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have successfully closed an illegal mining site, according to Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake.
The operation concentrated on a tin-rich location that was lawfully held by Trobell Minerals Limited but had been occupied for several months by unauthorized miners.
The operation was strategic and non-confrontational, but it integrated intelligence collection with community involvement and diplomacy to peacefully destroy the criminal activity, according to a statement signed and issued by Segun Tomori, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, on Monday.
The statement said, “The Mining Marshals have skillfully used a combination of diplomacy and community participation to successfully close an illegal mining site in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The operation concentrated on a tin-rich location that was lawfully held by Trobell Minerals Limited but had been occupied for several months by unauthorized miners. According to community people, the operations had increased local insecurity, degraded the environment, and resulted in large financial losses.
According to community residents, the operations resulted in substantial financial losses and environmental degradation.
dation, and heightened insecurity in the area.
Departing from the norm of confrontational enforcement, the Marshals prioritised dialogue, consulting with traditional leaders and mobilising local support.
This approach led to the peaceful exit of the illegal miners under official supervision without incident.
Speaking during the commemoration of the first anniversary of the Mining Marshals’ recent, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering the squad for greater effectiveness.
“The reward for hard work is more work,” he told the operatives, pledging additional resources and operational support.
The peaceful resolution in Damau contrasts with previous clashes at illegal sites in other parts of the country, where enforcement operations have often turned confrontational.
The minister urges communities across the country to support efforts of the federal government to stamp out illegal mining, suing for cooperation with the mining marshals to fish out culprits.
“The Kaduna operation could serve as a model for future interventions if we get the buy-in of locals and community leaders. Illegal mining and insecurity remain major obstacles to the development of the mining sector.
“However, the outcome in Damau offers a glimpse of how a mix of enforcement and dialogue can turn the tide. I urge communities to cooperate with us to deal with this menace and restore investor confidence in the sector, ” Dr Alake added.
“The diplomatic approach is commendable. The activities of the dislodged illegal miners posed a serious threat to lives, livelihoods, and investment. This intervention brings long-awaited relief.”
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