Kebbi State shuts down Yauri gold mining site over unlawful excavations

The Kebbi State Government has mandated the immediate shutdown of the Mararrabar Birnin Yauri gold mining operation in Ngaski Local Government Area after escalating clashes which was as a result of unauthorized mining activities.

Governor Nasir Idris made the announcement on Friday during an unexpected visit to the site, responding to reports of disputes between locals and representatives of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining projects. Security forces have been dispatched to secure the location, with the governor confirming the suspension will continue until peaceful negotiations conclude.

During the inspection, officials including Musa Adamu Dantata from the gold mining campaign, Kebbi Mining Commissioner Garba Hassan Warrah, Managing Director of the Kebbi Mining Development Agency Abdullahi Buhari, local government chairman Maniru Abubakar, and state legislator Adamu Muhammad Birnin-Yauri provided updates on the situation.

Governor Idris stressed the importance of state oversight in all mining enterprises, emphasizing that although the state gains little from these ventures, the affected communities must be respected and engaged.

He charged the Ministry of Mining to develop a comprehensive registry of all licensed miners, companies, and bodies operating within Kebbi to promote transparency and accountability.

The governor also raised alarm about the increasing dangers from uncontrolled mining, pointing to a recent deadly incident linked to illegal extraction at the Yauri site.