Environmental and health experts have issued strong warnings about the increasingly destructive effects of illegal mining across Nigeria, citing devastating consequences for human health and ecosystems.
In recent weeks, the Nigerian government reiterated its ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, demanding that illegal miners vacate all sites immediately. Authorities emphasised that the suspension will remain until official guidelines for safe mining practices are introduced. The move followed a fresh outbreak of lead poisoning in Bugundu Local Government Area, prompting an urgent investigation by health and environmental officials.
Lead poisoning, especially dangerous to children, can cause severe damage to the brain, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. It often results from exposure to contaminated soil, air, and water—common byproducts of unregulated mining activities. According to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, the re-emergence of poisoning incidents in Zamfara exposes failures in enforcing the six-year-old mining ban.
“Illegal mining is endangering lives, and we must eliminate it to protect our communities,” Dr Alake said.
Zamfara has suffered repeated health crises linked to unsafe mining. In 2010, one of the world’s worst lead poisoning incidents was recorded in the state, killing over 400 children across 43 villages. Seven years later, the Emir of Bukkuyum reported that 300 children in Yar Galma died due to similar contamination.
Beyond poisoning, illegal mining in the region has triggered widespread erosion, flooding, and destruction of farmland and homes. Toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, used in rudimentary gold extraction, often leak into rivers and groundwater, making them unsafe for drinking and farming. Experts warn that mercury poisoning can lead to infertility and neurological disorders.
In Osun State, concerns have mounted over pollution of the Osun River. Tests conducted by the nonprofit Urban Alert in 2023 showed the presence of mercury, lead, cyanide, and other harmful substances. Similarly, in Nasarawa State, locals in Abuni have blamed a Chinese mining company for polluting River Rafin Jaki, resulting in severe health problems and the deaths of nine children.
“River Rafin Jaki, once the lifeblood of the community, is now a deadly hazard,” lamented Phillips Jakpor of the Renevlyn Development Initiative.
Medical professionals such as Dr Nyam Azi in Plateau State have also noted an increase in mining-related illnesses, including lung cancer, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma, largely due to miners’ lack of safety gear and exposure to toxic dust.
Experts have linked these environmental disasters to poor enforcement, weak regulation, and the dominance of artisanal and small-scale miners. The Journal of King Saud University reported in 2022 that unregulated mining worldwide is a growing source of pollution, with heavy metals from waste entering the food chain and water systems.
Environmentalists argue that materials left after ore extraction—known as mining tailings—are often radioactive or acidic. In countries with strict regulations, such materials are stored in secure facilities. However, in Nigeria and other developing nations, unsafe disposal practices persist.
Geoscientist Fidelis Onwuagba from the University of Kansas explained that modern mining in developed countries has embraced advanced techniques to curb pollution. These include dry stacking of waste, in-situ recovery (a method that avoids digging by dissolving minerals underground), and high-tech water treatment systems like reverse osmosis and constructed wetlands.
“Dry stacking reduces the risk of groundwater contamination, while recycling water in mining operations helps protect freshwater supplies,” Onwuagba explained.
He also emphasised the role of satellite and drone technologies in real-time monitoring of mining sites, helping companies detect and correct environmental hazards early. In the U.S., mining firms are legally required to conduct environmental assessments and implement reclamation plans, including habitat restoration and soil recovery.
Onwuagba believes these technologies and practices can be adopted in Nigeria, where urgent reforms are needed to reduce the long-term environmental and health toll of unregulated mining.
