PAGMI Leads Operation to Flush Out Illegal Miners in Kebbi, Nigeria

The Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) has gained momentum in Kebbi, Nigeria, as mining marshals, in collaboration with the NSCDC, DSS, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Police Force, have expelled thousands of illegal miners from occupied mines. The operation, led by officials, has displaced illegal miners and taken control of PAGMI sites, going beyond artisanal mining to tackle heavy-duty excavation and other harmful practices.

The illegal mining activities have led to land degradation, water pollution, and heightened insecurity in surrounding communities like Yauri. The initiative aims to formalize artisanal mining, empower host communities, and ensure economic benefits while protecting the environment and restoring law and order in the mining corridor.

John Onoja Attah, a PAGMI official, emphasizes the importance of registering mining operations within legal frameworks to prevent environmental destruction and insecurity. The operation involves constant surveillance, routine patrols, and environmental assessments to support recovery efforts and curb revenue leakage from the mining sector.