Taraba Mining Crisis: Fresh Allegations Emerge After Deadly Incident in Mayo-Kam

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The Taraba State Government’s efforts to control illegal mining activities have come under renewed scrutiny following allegations that some security operatives and political figures assigned to supervise mining operations in Mayo-Kam, Bali Local Government Area, are frustrating enforcement efforts.

Residents have accused security personnel stationed at two mining locations, known as Gildan Star and Gildan Boss, of permitting miners from Zamfara, Katsina, Lagos, Gombe and other parts of Nigeria to operate while allegedly denying indigenes access to mineral resources within their community.

The claims have sparked concerns about accountability, fairness in access to economic opportunities and the effectiveness of the security measures introduced to regulate mining in the area.

The situation has become more troubling following reports of a recent mining site collapse in Mayo-Kam that allegedly claimed the lives of at least 20 miners. However, independent confirmation of the exact location, the operators involved, the circumstances of the collapse and the official death toll remains unavailable.

A community elder, Abubakar Tanko, alleged that security personnel had prevented residents from accessing the mining locations, despite their interest in engaging in mining to earn a living.

“Our people are not even allowed to have access to the mining site because the security operatives there won’t allow us,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Mayo-Kam, Sarki Baka Shaibu Haruna Mayo-Kam, has also appealed to the government to investigate the allegations and ensure that residents are not excluded from benefiting from the mineral wealth in their community.

The monarch raised concerns over the removal of security personnel previously assigned to the mining sites and their replacement with other officers, linking the changes to growing safety concerns surrounding mining operations.

“We have never witnessed the collapse of mining sites in this community until the security personnel who were there were withdrawn and replaced with the ones that are there now,” he lamented.

Idris Danladi, the governor’s special adviser on marketing and a native of Mayo-Kam, alleged that some security operatives were collecting money from miners in exchange for access to the sites, particularly during nighttime operations.

He warned that such alleged conduct could weaken the state government’s efforts to bring mining activities under proper regulation.

Danladi maintained that Governor Agbu Kefas had held engagements with artisanal miners and other stakeholders to encourage compliance with government regulations and directives.

However, the allegations emerging from Mayo-Kam, as reported by ZINGTIE, have raised concerns about whether those commitments are being effectively implemented and whether monitoring arrangements at the mining sites are adequate.

The dispute has also involved a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, whom some residents have accused of collaborating with security personnel to exclude members of the community.

The lawmaker has denied the allegations, maintaining that he has been working to carry out the governor’s directives and ensure that appropriate procedures are followed.

Responding to the claims, the Taraba State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, said the command “was not aware of the alleged misconduct.”

He stated that monitoring activities were continuing and warned that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing would face appropriate sanctions. He also said police officers had been warned against engaging in misconduct.

“Regarding this, the command is not aware of such act, though observation is in progress to monitor and punish anyone found. Our officers have been cautioned and warned, so none of our officers is involved,” he told ZINGTIE.

Aside from the dispute over access to mineral resources, residents have raised concerns about the safety of miners and the dangers associated with inadequately supervised mining operations.

Reports of fatalities have strengthened calls for stricter oversight, adherence to safety standards and thorough investigations into mining accidents.

The allegations have also prompted questions about whether Gildan Star and Gildan Boss possess valid mining licences, who operates the sites, which agencies are responsible for supervising them and the legal grounds for restricting local residents from accessing the locations.

For Governor Kefas, the controversy poses a challenge to his administration’s stated commitment to regulating mining activities and safeguarding communities affected by mineral exploitation.

For residents of Mayo-Kam, the immediate priorities remain protection from mining-related hazards, fair access to lawful economic opportunities and assurances that the mineral resources found in their community will be managed in accordance with the law.

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