By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has officially launched a joint mining project with the Nigeria Union of Mine...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has officially launched a joint mining project with the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) as part of efforts to curb illegal mining and sanitise the mining sector across the state.
The project was inaugurated at a government-owned mining site in Zumba, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Speaking during the launch, the Director of Solid Minerals, Mr. Kolo Israel, said the initiative was designed to strengthen host communities, formalise mining activities, and eliminate illegal mining operations in the state.
He explained that the mining site, operated by Zuma Company, is owned by the Niger State Government and will be supervised by the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers under a profit-sharing arrangement involving the government, the company, and miners.
According to him, the government will also provide adequate security at the site to ensure smooth operations, while all parties will operate under an agreed framework that protects the rights and welfare of workers.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW), Niger State Chapter, Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko, described the initiative as a major step toward protecting miners from harassment and exploitation while promoting legal and organised mining activities.
He said the union fully supports the partnership, noting that it would benefit the government, miners, and host communities alike.
"As representatives of the workers, we welcome this initiative. We will ensure that mining activities are carried out with honesty, transparency, and accountability while continuing to uphold the laws and principles guiding the union," he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Zuma Company, Mr. Shaba Maigida, pledged the company's full commitment to implementing the project in line with the agreement reached with the Niger State Government and the union.
He disclosed that he has worked in the mining sector for more than 20 years and has always complied with government regulations governing mining operations.
Mr. Maigida explained that after conducting geological assessments of the site, he discovered it belonged to the Niger State Government. He subsequently approached the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, which facilitated discussions with the state government, leading to the establishment of the partnership.
He added that the project would operate under a transparent profit-sharing formula involving the company, the government, the union, and participating miners. Rather than making direct cash payments, proceeds from mining activities will be shared periodically according to the agreed arrangement to ensure fairness and accountability.
The mining project is located at Jan-Kasa Village in the Zumba District of Shiroro Local Government Area and is expected to create employment opportunities, enhance revenue generation, and promote responsible mining practices in the state.
The Nigeria Union of Mine Workers commended the Niger State Government for initiating the project through the Ministry of Mineral Resources, under the leadership of the Commissioner, Hon. Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in the state's efforts to reform the mining sector.
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