Nigeria's Taraba State Loses Billions Annually to Illegal Mining Despite Governor's Orders

Despite repeated government efforts, Taraba State in Nigeria continues to lose more than 10 billion naira annually to illegal mining. Governor Agbu Kefas has issued three executive orders since taking office in 2023 to suspend mining activities, yet the lucrative underground economy persists.

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Why is one of Nigeria’s mineral-rich states struggling to stop an illicit trade that, officials say, deprives it of billions of naira every year?

The cycle of crackdowns and returns highlights the challenges of enforcement in the state's difficult terrain. Operators temporarily halt activities when government teams are present, only to resume mining gold, sapphire, and other minerals through informal channels once the pressure subsides. This ongoing illicit trade deprives the state of significant revenue.

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The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals estimates that Nigeria loses about $9 billion annually to illegal mining, while the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reported that the solid minerals sector contributed only ₦401 billion, or 0.72 per cent of GDP, in 2023, attributing the sector’s poor performance to weak regulation, opaque licensing, and criminal networks.

Taraba's struggle mirrors a broader national issue. The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals estimates Nigeria loses about $9 billion annually to illegal mining. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reported that the solid minerals sector contributed a mere 0.72% of GDP in 2023, citing weak regulation, opaque licensing, and criminal networks as major impediments.

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Labourers told this newspaper they were often tipped off before task force raids, allowing them to abandon the camps temporarily and then return to continue extracting sapphire, quartz and other minerals.

Investigations have revealed thriving illegal mining operations, particularly for blue sapphire, with daily sales reaching tens of millions of naira, largely to foreign dealers from neighboring West African countries. Miners often operate without licenses, while middlemen control the trade, and many local communities have become dependent on this illicit activity for survival. Reports suggest that miners are often tipped off about impending raids, allowing them to evade security agencies and continue their operations.

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Residents blamed the absence of clear mining guidelines and alleged collusion by some local actors for the persistent return of illegal miners.