The Akwa Ibom Government has taken action to shut down an unauthorized mining company
The closure of the Chinese mining firm, Ruitai Mining Company, by the Akwa Ibom Government has been enacted due to the company's failure to present a valid operational license.
According to Chief Uno Etim Eno, the state's Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, who addressed the media in Uyo, the firm could not provide the required authorization documents for conducting titanium ore mining activities in the Ibeno community of the state.
Evidently, the company had been engaging in titanium ore mining operations within the area without proper authorization, until it was intercepted and directed to furnish the necessary documentation.
Eno added that during the inspection, it was evident that the firm lacked both a valid mining license and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to demonstrate the impact of its activities on the local community.
"Upon arriving at Ibeno community, the joint ministerial inspection team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iquo Abia, were guided through the mining site by the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa," stated Uno.
"The team identified the presence of black clay-like minerals contained in 50kg sacks, identified by the miners as titanium ore. However, upon close examination of the site under strict security measures, the Managing Director and Director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were not present at the site. The available staff members were unable to provide any information or documentation," Uno explained.
The investigation by the Ministry of Environment revealed that the company was purely engaged in exploration activities, and the entire Board of Directors consisted of Chinese nationals who were ineligible to obtain the claimed small-scale mining license.
In response, Uno emphasized, "Ruitai Mining Company must immediately cease its mining operations until the necessary clearance legitimizing its activities is duly obtained from the state government."
Leave A Comment