Lead Poisoning Report Prompt Nigeria’s Federal Government to Shut Mining Activities in Zamfara State
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, gave the order Tuesday, following reports of recent lead poisoning in Bugundu Local Government Area of the state.
The Federal Government said all mining activities remain suspended until the release of standard operating procedures to guide the resumption of exploration in the state.
The Minister said the ban on mining in the state over the past six years meant there should not have been any reason for lead poisoning.
The minister stated that the outbreak was evidence that traditional and local institutions had allowed illegal miners to operate in their areas, in flagrant violation of the ban.
To mitigate the situation, experts and ministry officials’ reports will recommend specific interventions enabling it to stave off future calamities, while deploying emergency services to the area and called for more collaboration between the state and officials of the ministry in the state.