Illegal Gold Mining in Nigeria exposes state’s financial inadequacies

The continuation of illegal gold mining in rural Nigeria exposes the federal government’s weakness in eradicating poverty and preventing the exploitation of young unemployed labourers.

Both Nigerian and Chinese corporations continue to use illegal gold mines in the North West, North Central, and occasionally in the South West provinces of the country.

The North West province in particular is rich in mineral deposits, especially in gold which carries the largest financial and political price.

Indeed, the North West is logistically suited to illegal mining, as gold can be smuggled over the border into neighboring Niger and onto Togo. From there, the booty is taken to Dubai and then onto the Asian markets.

‘Artisanal mining’ (as it is known) has long been banned in Zamfara state, and the federal government has even deployed troops to keep check of the illegal operations.

These military interventions have been to little avail, however, increasing violence in the area rather than dissipating it.

Over 5,000 soldiers and miners have been killed in the conflict in the last five years, and the violence isn’t subsiding. In February 2020, 13 bandits were killed along with a following four soldiers in April.

The mining operations continue due to the government’s weak efforts to stamp out the root of the problem: poverty and limited opportunity in the north.

Youth unemployment continues to plague Nigeria’s rural regions and the financial backing of international corporations feeds the fire, luring those seeking work and income (however low).

If Nigeria’s federal government is serious about stopping illegal gold mining, long term peaceful solutions are required. Military violence has been tried, tested, and failed catastrophically.

Photo:Wikimedia Commons