Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has signed Executive Order 001 of 2025, suspending all mining activities across the state in a decisive move to address worsening insecurity and environmental degradation.
The governor announced the suspension during a stakeholders’ meeting at the New Government House in Jos. To explain the decision, the governor met with traditional rulers, community leaders, local government chairmen, and representatives from mining communities.
Reasons for the Mining Suspension
Governor Mutfwang highlighted several critical concerns that prompted the suspension:
- Illegal mining operations
- Land degradation affecting farmlands
- Rising security threats, including:
- Banditry
- Kidnapping
- Drug trafficking
- Illegal firearms possession
- Unregulated foreign miners fueling crime
- Child labor in mining communities
“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, I must ensure the safety of our people. Given the rising security concerns associated with illegal mining, we must take decisive action. All mining operations are hereby suspended until further notice. This measure is aimed at restoring order and ensuring that Plateau’s resources are harnessed for the benefit of its people,” the governor declared.
Government’s Next Steps
To ensure a more structured and sustainable mining sector, the Plateau State government will:
✅ Collaborate with the Federal Government, local authorities, and host communities to regulate mining activities.
✅ Enforce Community Development Agreements (CDA) to ensure that host communities benefit socio-economically.
✅ Establish a monitoring framework to oversee mining operations and curb illegal activities.
What This Means for Plateau State
This suspension is expected to curb criminal activities, protect local farmlands, and create a more regulated mining industry that benefits the people of Plateau State rather than fueling insecurity.
