The Senate has directed the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to carry out a comprehensive nationwide audit of all licensed miners and their operational locations as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and regulation of mining activities.
The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to establish a statutory compensation scheme for mining workers, financed through mandatory contributions from licensed mining operators.
Under the proposed arrangement, miners and their families would receive compensation for occupational injuries, permanent disabilities, work-related diseases and deaths resulting from mining operations.
The Senate’s resolutions were prompted by growing concerns over frequent mining accidents, including mine collapses and landslides, which have led to loss of lives and left many workers with permanent injuries without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
Leading the debate, Senator Isah Jibrin noted that victims of mining accidents — especially families of deceased miners and workers who suffer life-altering disabilities — are often left without social protection despite the significant economic value generated from the nation’s mineral resources.
The Senate warned that the persistent occurrence of mine collapses, unsafe mining practices and unstable geological conditions, particularly in the Ankpa Coal Block, could lead to repeated fatalities, environmental degradation and the destruction of valuable mining assets if urgent corrective measures are not implemented.
To address the situation, lawmakers called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to develop a compulsory occupational accident insurance scheme covering all categories of miners, including artisanal and small-scale miners operating under recognised cooperatives and community mining arrangements.
•Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake
The Senate further urged the Federal Government to establish a mine rehabilitation and victims support fund. The fund would provide emergency medical treatment, rehabilitation services, compensation for injured miners, educational support for children of deceased miners and livelihood assistance for affected families.
In addition, the Senate mandated its Committees on Solid Minerals Development, Environment, Labour, Employment and Productivity, and Health to jointly engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies to ensure implementation of the resolutions and report back to the Senate within six weeks.
