Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has signed Executive Order 001 of 2025, suspending all mining activities across the state to address worsening insecurity and curb massive farmland degradation.
The governor announced the decision during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the New Government House, Jos, which included traditional rulers, community leaders, local government chairmen, and representatives from the mining communities.
He explained that the suspension was necessary to curb illegal mining, mitigate land degradation, combat child labour, and address escalating security threats, including the influx of unregulated foreign miners, which has fuelled banditry, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms possession in mining communities.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, I must ensure the safety of our people. Given the rising security concerns associated with illegal mining, we must take decisive action. All mining operations are hereby suspended until further notice. This measure is aimed at restoring order and ensuring that Plateau’s resources are harnessed for the benefit of its people,” Governor Mutfwang declared.
To ensure a structured and sustainable approach to mining in the state, the government will collaborate with the Federal Government, local authorities, host communities, and mineral rights holders to establish a monitoring framework and enforce Community Development Agreements (CDA) that guarantee socio-economic benefits for host communities.