FG sanctions 313 mining companies

No fewer than 313 mining companies have been sanctioned by the Federal Government over non-fulfilment of environmental obligations.
Director of Mines Environmental Compliance Department in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Salim Salaam, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, yesterday.
Salaam said mining operators were issued sanction letters on March 20, 2017 for failing to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Programme (EPRP) and the Community Development Agreement (CDA).
He said four of the mining companies affected  were given ‘stop work’ order, and added that the ministry had warned them severally but that they refused to comply with the environmental obligations.
The director said five companies’ licences were outrightly revoked, over total failure to comply with the ministry’s environmental obligations, in spite of incessant notices issued by the ministry.
“One, out of the five companies, is a foreign mining company located in Bauchi; three in Cross River and one in Oyo state. All their licenses have been revoked completely,” he said.
Salaam added, however, that 20 mining companies were issued warning letters as consideration to comply with the mining act to avoid revocation.
He said the ministry had decided not to renew licences of the remaining 284 mining companies, except the Minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi gives them another chance to fulfil all environmental requirements.
He revealed that some of the defaulters did not conduct EIA before commencing operations, adding that this could be dangerous to host the communities’ health and cause environmental degradations.
EIA is a study being conducted by mining operators to ascertain in advance, the impact of the project on the environment and on the lives of host communities.
He also explained that some conducted EIA but refused to fulfil the CDA of the host communities and the EPRP.
“Mining operators are mandated to conduct EPRP, according to Section 119 of the Nigerian Mining Act.