The General Manager of Borno Mining Company Ltd (BOMICOL), Mallam Aminu Muhammad Chamalwa has stressed the critical importance of local community collaboration and security engagement in the state’s mining sector.
In an exclusive interview with Nigerian Mining, Chamalwa reiterated that traditional leaders are instrumental to sustainable mining activities.
“In any mining activity, the paramount among stakeholders are the security and traditional areas,” he said. “The traditional leaders are people closer to the community…you have to go through them, sit with them, just to avoid any trouble.”
Borno State, which is divided into three senatorial zones—North, Central, and South, has seen most mining activities cluster in the South due to relative safety. “Not all parts of the southern part of the state you can go in without any security issue. But majority of the places now you can go and explore,” the Chamalwa noted.
In a bid to resolve conflicts and ensure accountability, the General Manager revealed that Borno has already initiated the setup of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO). “It has been forwarded to the government for further consideration… once that is done, any disputes… will be resolved by those committee members.”
As BOMICOL aligns itself with federal policies under the 2007 Mining Act, Chamalwa highlighted their commitment to environmental assessments before commencing operations. “You can’t just go and scatter the natural environment and then turn your back… we will comply.”
