The Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural resources has banned illegal mining in the state.
The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Mr Bashir Gegu, announced this in a statement in Lokoja on Monday.
The move was in reaction to the death of two persons after the collapse of an illegal mining site at Ika-Ogboyaga in Ankpa Local Government Area, in the state.
He described illegal mining in the state as ‘worrisome’ to the government, adding that licensed operators in the state mining industry will be allowed to continue with ‘legal’ mining business while illegal miners would be flushed out to end what he described as criminal activities of illegal miners in the state.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Corp Controller and Head of Solid Minerals surveillance of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Mr Nkom Samson Katung, identified the victims of the incident as Amodu and Attah, both from the Mining locality.
The Mining Workers killed in the incident, according to the NSCDC, have been buried by their families after their bodies were dug out by the rescue team of the security agency.
PIAK
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