Timadix Geomin Consult Nigeria, a mining company, has expressed deep disappointment over the disruption of its operations and the alleged harassment of its staff by agents of the Nasarawa State Government. The incident occurred at the company’s mining site in Amba Kure, located in the Kokona Local Government Area.

Timadix Geomin Consult Nigeria

The company’s management issued a statement signed by its Managing Director, Engineer Tim Eldon, expressing shock over the actions taken by the state government. According to Eldon, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, accompanied by security agencies, led a raid on the mining site and arrested one of the company’s managers, accusing the firm of engaging in illegal mining activities. The manager was reportedly released the same day after preliminary investigations.

Eldon categorically denied the allegations, asserting that Timadix Geomin Consult is fully licensed to operate in the area. He explained that the company had obtained all necessary approvals from both local authorities and other relevant bodies before commencing operations. He described the accusation of illegal mining as baseless and an intentional effort to tarnish the company’s reputation.

“We were shocked to learn about the arrest of our manager,” Eldon stated. “Despite his release the same day, the allegations against us remain unfounded. The claim that we are operating without the consent of local communities and the state government is completely false.”

Eldon further revealed that Trimmadix Geomin Consult had secured clearance from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Nasarawa State, which grants the company the legal authority to carry out its mining activities. He criticised the actions of the state government, accusing officials of violating federal laws by issuing mining licenses to other entities, including Chinese nationals, for the same site where Trimmadix holds legitimate permits and documentation.

“This situation is deeply regrettable,” Eldon said. “It is disheartening to see state officials unlawfully granting mining licenses to others for a site where we hold legitimate rights. Mining is an exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and no state official has the legal authority to interfere in such matters.”

He also emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution reserves the management of mining activities exclusively for the Federal Government. As a result, Eldon argued, state governments and their officials lack the legal mandate to issue mining licenses or interfere in federally-regulated mining operations.

In response to Timadix Geomin Consult Nigeria’s accusations, Nasarawa State’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, defended the state government’s actions. Kwanta maintained that the company’s operations violated existing laws, justifying the intervention and the revocation of Trimmadix Geomin Consult Nigeria’s mining activities. He asserted that the company had failed to meet key legal requirements, particularly obtaining consent from the local community, before beginning its operations.

“The company engaged in illegal mining activities,” Kwanta stated. “They did not follow the proper legal procedures or secure the required consent from the local community, which is a fundamental part of obtaining mining licenses.”

Kwanta also highlighted the state government’s broader responsibility to ensure that all mining activities within its territory comply with legal and environmental standards. He argued that several considerations, including community welfare and adherence to legal protocols, must be taken into account before a mining license can be granted to any company.

The disagreement between Timadix Geomin Consult Nigeria and the Nasarawa State Government highlights an ongoing conflict over the governance of mining activities in Nigeria. While the Federal Government is constitutionally responsible for managing mining operations, state governments often seek greater involvement, citing the need to protect local interests.

This case underscores the challenges of balancing federal and state authority in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. As mining activities expand across the country, clear and consistent enforcement of regulations will be critical to preventing similar disputes and ensuring that mining operations contribute positively to the local and national economy.

The conflict also brings attention to the importance of transparent licensing processes and the role of community engagement in fostering harmonious relationships between mining firms and their host communities. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Federal Government, the state government, and Timadix Geomin Consult Nigeria will resolve their differences.

Leave A Reply