In a landmark decision aimed at safeguarding the state’s future, the Plateau State Government, led by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has taken bold steps to reform the mining sector.
During a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos, the Plateau State Technical Committee on Mining Reform led by the Commissioner of Environment, Climate Change, and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, outlined its commitment to addressing the alarming consequences of unregulated mining activities that have plagued the state for years.
Governor Mutfwang, in consultation with stakeholders, signed Executive Order 001, 2025, on February 21, effectively suspending all illegal mining operations within the state. This measure comes as a direct response to growing concerns over insecurity, environmental degradation, and the exploitation of local communities linked to unregulated mining activities. The governor’s administration has made it clear that these activities, if left unchecked, could jeopardize the lives and property of Plateau State residents.
The state’s historical prominence in Nigeria’s mining industry, dating back to 1902, was a focal point of the committee’s address. While mining has served as a significant contributor to the state’s economy and industrial development, its deterioration in recent decades—fueled by illegal mining—has had devastating effects. As the state moves toward a reformed and regulated mining sector, the committee is calling for the full cooperation of traditional rulers, local government officials, and the general public.
“His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, took the bold and necessary decision to temporarily suspend mining activities in the state through Executive Order 001, 2025,” the committee emphasized, adding that this measure was essential to protect the state’s future.
The Technical Committee, chaired by the State Commissioner of Justice, was established to enforce the executive order and develop a framework for sustainable mining practices. According to the committee, “Our goal is to establish a win-win system where mining activities benefit the Federal Government, the State Government, and the local communities, ensuring that host communities are not exploited but rather empowered through a sustainable and legal mining framework.”
The committee also outlined its critical responsibilities, including verifying Community Development Agreements, ensuring proper documentation of title holders, and advocating for the formalization of artisanal miners into cooperatives. Additionally, the committee highlighted the importance of generating accurate data on mining sites and reclaiming degraded lands.
In addressing the press, the committee stressed the need for collaboration from all stakeholders. “We, therefore, appeal to our highly respected traditional institutions, religious and community leaders, and licensed miners to support the temporary suspension of all mining activities in their domains as a necessary step toward restoring sanity in the sector.”
Security agencies were urged to enforce the order professionally, ensuring compliance without compromising human rights, while civil society and the media were called upon to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal mining. The committee warned against politicizing the government’s intervention and urged everyone to approach the reforms with an open mind.
“We must caution those who want to politicize this patriotic intervention by the government by whipping up ethnic, religious, or gender sentiments to desist from doing so. This is a strategic move aimed at sanitizing the mining sector, curbing criminal activities, protecting arable land, and securing infrastructure,” the committee concluded.
The Plateau State Government remains committed to ushering in a new era of responsible and sustainable mining that benefits all stakeholders and ensures long-term economic prosperity for the state.
