In a major move to overhaul the mining sector, the Enugu State Government has launched new regulations aimed at formalizing operations, improving safety, and ensuring fair revenue distribution to host communities. The announcement was made by Dan Nwomeh, media aide to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency, traceability, and accountability in resource management. These reforms are being spearheaded by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining.
The initiative comes in response to years of unchecked and hazardous mining activity, which the government attributes to multiple fatalities—over 20 deaths in sand and burrow pit accidents alone. The new regulations mandate that all participants in the mining value chain, from pit owners to tipper drivers, register with the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources. Operators must now adhere to safety protocols, maintain detailed worker records, and submit to regular inspections. Pits deemed unsafe will be shut down until compliance is met.
To ensure local communities directly benefit from mining activities, operators are now required to pay community development levies and other statutory royalties. A unified Burrow Pit Owners Union has also been established to coordinate operations and maintain centralized data on mining across the state. The Ministry must now approve any proposed pricing adjustments within the sector to prevent arbitrary increases.
Furthermore, each mining community is required to set up a Community Mining Committee within seven days, with member lists submitted for official inauguration. The government underscored that non-compliance with these new rules will not be tolerated, as it prioritizes the safety of its citizens and the economic inclusion of host communities in resource exploitation.
Source: Naira metrics