The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified efforts to ensure safe and lawful mining activities across the territory following an inspection of quarry and mine sites in the Bwari Area Council.

The inspection was conducted by the Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters (DSMAM) as part of the administration’s efforts to safeguard lives, protect the environment and enforce compliance with approved mining standards.

Leading one of the inspection teams, the Deputy Director of the Quarry and Economic Ecology Division, Timothy Shemang, said the exercise was carried out in line with the FCTA’s mandate to ensure that mining operators comply with established safety and environmental regulations.

FCTA Inspects Quarry Sites in Bwari

The inspection focused on key compliance areas, including operational safety, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental management and the availability of statutory documents.

Officials also verified operators’ valid operating licences, surface rent receipts and mine clearance permits during the exercise.

Shemang said the FCTA was committed to maintaining a transparent relationship with mining operators while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements.

He, however, warned that operators engaging in illegal activities or failing to meet statutory obligations would face sanctions.

“Any operator who fails to pay surface rent or obtain the required clearance permit risks sanctions, including suspension or closure,” Shemang cautioned.

He added that the administration would continue to enforce the Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) approved for mining activities within the FCT.

Operators Issued Compliance Notices

While some of the inspected sites were found to be operating in compliance with the required standards, others were issued compliance notices over identified lapses.

The violations included inadequate use of PPE, insufficient safety signage and deficiencies in statutory documentation.

The inspection comes amid concerns over unregulated quarrying activities and their potential impact on the environment and communities across the Federal Capital Territory.

The department also highlighted the need for greater regulation of industrial rock blasting, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to geological hazards.

Shemang urged mining companies to cooperate with DSMAM and comply with all regulatory requirements, stressing that maintaining a safe mining environment is essential for protecting workers and host communities.

The DSMAM said it would continue to promote responsible mineral resource management in the FCT while working to achieve industrial harmony, environmental protection and sustainable development.

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A non-governmental organisation, Bincike International, has called on the Federal Government to revoke illegally issued mining permits operating within Nigeria’s protected reserves and prosecute individuals and organisations involved in unlawful mining activities.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure that degraded areas are properly restored, warning that unregulated mining is damaging agricultural land, contaminating water sources and threatening the livelihoods of communities that depend on the affected environments.

The Executive Director of Bincike International, Dr Elisha Bello, said illegal mining operations are taking place in some areas with little regard for environmental regulations, human rights and worker safety. He also raised concerns about child labour and the links between illegal mining activities and insecurity in some rural communities.

Bello said Nigeria’s significant deposits of critical minerals present an opportunity for economic development, but warned that illegal exploitation is allowing criminal networks to benefit from the country’s natural resources while governments and host communities lose potential revenue.

He specifically alleged that illegal mining activities have encroached on environmentally sensitive locations, including Cross River National Park and Gashaka Gumti National Park. According to him, some operations are being conducted under improperly issued or fraudulently obtained licences, potentially violating provisions of Nigeria’s mining and national park legislation.

The group warned that mining within protected landscapes could accelerate deforestation, soil erosion and water contamination while threatening biodiversity. Species identified as being at risk include the Cross River gorilla, forest elephants and chimpanzees.

Bello also pointed to the commercial importance of Nigeria’s mineral resources, particularly lithium. He argued that the country’s high-grade deposits could generate significant economic value if properly regulated, processed locally and incorporated into formal supply chains.

To address the problem, Bincike International called for stronger transparency measures across the mining sector, including independent audits and public monitoring of mineral extraction. The organisation said such measures could help ensure that royalties and other revenues reach government coffers and host communities.

It also urged authorities to strengthen environmental and human-rights enforcement, tackle child labour, improve protection for conservation personnel and address the relationship between illegal mining, environmental degradation and insecurity.

The organisation further proposed greater involvement of host communities in protecting conservation areas, arguing that communities should have a formal stake in safeguarding protected lands and natural resources.

Bincike International maintained that Nigeria’s mineral wealth should contribute to national development rather than enrich illegal networks at the expense of the environment, local communities and public revenue.

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His call comes in the wake of recent earth tremors felt in the Mpape, Maitama, Gishiri, and Katampe areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a monitored interview, Adepoju emphasized that activities such as borehole drilling and rock blasting must be conducted with caution to avoid exacerbating the seismic situation. He noted that human activities have a significant impact on the geological stability of the region, particularly when it comes to disturbing rocks deep beneath the earth’s surface.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Professor Olusegun Ige, reassured residents not to panic, explaining that the tremors resulted from accumulated stress along identified faults releasing seismic energy.

READ ALSO: Geological Agency Calms Public Fears Over Recent Earth Tremors in Abuja

Adepoju highlighted the need for the FCT Administration to address public water supply issues, noting that many households rely on boreholes for water. He pointed out that new settlements in residential areas, such as Lokogoma and Life Camp, lack access to public water.

READ ALSO: Tremors, vibrations hit Abuja community as residents tremble

He urged the government to enforce laws criminalizing illegal mining and rock blasting, stressing the importance of strengthening existing mechanisms to regulate these activities. “You cannot conduct quarry operations without government approval,” Adepoju stated, underscoring the need for increased efforts to curb unauthorized mining practices in the region.

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