Mining Marshals Seal Seven Mineral Processing Centres in Niger State Over Alleged Regulatory Violations
Mining Marshals Seal Seven Mineral Processing Centres in Niger State Over Alleged Regulatory Violations
Mining Marshals Seal Seven Mineral Processing Centres in Niger State Over Alleged Regulatory Violations
The Mining Marshals have intensified efforts to enforce compliance in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, sealing seven mineral buying and processing centres in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State over alleged violations of mining regulations.
The enforcement operation, carried out on June 12, 2026, followed investigations into suspected breaches of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.
Facilities affected by the operation include 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited, as well as another mineral buying facility operating in the area.
Four individuals were also taken into custody to assist investigators in ongoing inquiries related to the operation.
Preliminary findings indicated that some operators were unable to produce the statutory licences and approvals required for mineral purchasing and processing activities. Investigators also reported cases where minerals were allegedly sourced from suppliers without complete documentation as stipulated under existing mining regulations.
The Mining Marshals disclosed that further verification of licences and operational approvals would be undertaken in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant regulatory agencies to determine the compliance status of the affected companies.
During the operation, authorities recovered various mineral resources, including Monazite, Iron Ore and Zircon, with an estimated value running into several millions of naira. The recovered minerals remain subject to ongoing investigations and applicable legal procedures.
Speaking on the development, Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector and protecting Nigeria’s mineral wealth.
“Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal mining cannot thrive. Our enforcement efforts will continue to target every link in the illegal mining value chain to ensure that only lawful and properly regulated mineral trading activities are permitted,” he said.
The latest operation forms part of broader efforts by authorities to curb illegal mining, strengthen regulatory compliance and promote transparency within Nigeria’s growing solid minerals industry.
Mining Marshals Seal Seven Mineral Processing Centres in Niger State Over Alleged Regulatory Violations
