The Nasarawa State Government has banned persons below the age of 18 from participating in mining activities across the state’s 13 local government areas.

The government also established a special monitoring and enforcement team to curb illegal mining and child labour in mining communities.

The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, announced the measures at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital, on Friday.

Elayo said the decision followed concerns over the dangers associated with illegal mining, including the recent deaths of suspected illegal miners in neighbouring Niger State.

She said the government would no longer allow children and other residents to engage in illegal mining activities that endanger lives and contribute to environmental degradation.

The commissioner said the monitoring team had been authorised to inspect mining sites and communities and arrest individuals or companies operating without the required licences and government clearance.

She added that some mining sites in Wamba, Nasarawa-Eggon and Kokona Local Government Areas had been found to expose children to health risks and keep them away from school.

“Henceforth, no child below the age of 18 is allowed to be found at any mining site in Nasarawa State, either as a labourer, errand runner or food vendor,” Elayo said.

She warned that companies, site operators or parents who violate the directive would be arrested and prosecuted under the Child Rights Law and mining regulations.

Elayo said the state would work with security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to enforce the ban.

She stressed that the measure was not aimed at stopping mining, but at ensuring that mining was conducted responsibly, safely and sustainably.