Artisanal Mining in Nigeria

By Oluyara Emmanuel, Earth Siences young professional

Artisanal Mining also called Artisanal small-scale mining (ASM Figure 1), ASM is a form of mining where basic tools are used to extract minerals from the earth. It is a type of mining done informally by miners. Artisanal miners are subsistence miners who are not officially employed by mining companies but work independently to mine minerals. According to Izerimana & Godwin, 2024, p.234, common minerals mined through artisanal mining in Nigeria include Coal, Lead, Iron, Zinc ores, Gold, Columbite, Bitumen, Wolframite, and other precious minerals. Artisanal mining occurs in approximately 80 countries across the world with an estimated 100 million artisanal miners worldwide. According to the World Bank (2013), ASM accounts for 80% of the world’s sapphire production and 20% of the world’s gold and diamond.

Figure 1: Artisanal Mining in Nigeria (Source: UNDP)

Nigeria is a country endowed with numerous mineral resources scattered across over the 36 states and the federal capital (Abuja) (Figure 2). According to (Izerimana & Godwin, 2024), mining is believed to have started in Nigeria in 1903 through privately owned foreign operations. However, due to Nigeria’s continuous neglect of the mining industry and increased focus on hydrocarbon exploration, the mining sector in Nigeria is currently dominated by artisanal and small-scale miners with over 90% of the country’s mineral production coming from ASM’s. It is estimated that over 500,000 miners in Nigeria work in the ASM subsector with reports suggesting that about a total of 1,759 artisanal mining sites are in existence in the country.

Figure 2: Solid Mineral distribution map in Nigeria (Source: Obaje 2009)

Despite not being fully established as an industry, ASM provides a source of income for millions of people in the country's rural areas where these mining sites are clustered. According to Dataphyte (Figure 3), of the 1,759 sites in the country, 27.89% are in the north-central, 18.54% in the northwest, 14.45% in the northeast, 13.36% in the southeast, 14.30 in the southwest and 11.46% in the south-south. If successfully incorporated into the country’s economy, up to 20 million people could be employed. ASM represents an important source of income for the poverty-affected local population and has helped in the development of rural economies by providing employment, reducing poverty and boosting government revenue.

However, ASM in Nigeria is characterized by unlawful mining activities, according to reports of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) 2020, up to 95% of gold in Nigeria is mined illegally, and revenues are not remitted to the country. And while their presence is recognised by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the sector is still largely unregulated. Also, ASM in Nigeria is bedevilled by several issues ranging from a huge loss and low productivity level due to archaic mining and processing machinery and methods, to poor working conditions leading to various health and hygienic issues (malaria, yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, etc.), use of child labour, socio-cultural problems, contamination of the environment (pollution of water resources, deforestation and destruction of vegetation, erosion, soil degradation) and so on.

Figure 3: Data showing ASM mining sites in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

ASM has helped empower rural communities, and while the government has made several attempts to support the sector, a lot still needs to be done to make it safe and sustainable. There is a need to enhance the legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to facilitate the formalization and integration of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) as emerging Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Additionally, creating favourable conditions to attract foreign investments into the sector will contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development. Also, ASM workers need to be educated and well-equipped on safe mining practices and the need to minimize their environmental impact.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Nigeria stands as both a testament to the resilience of rural communities and a stark reminder of untapped potential due to systemic challenges. With over 500,000 miners operating across Nigeria and accounting for over 90% of mineral production, yet it remains informal and plagued by illegal activities and environmental pollution and degradation. It’s a vital lifeline for the rural economies with the potential to create up to 20 million jobs if harnessed properly. I urge the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to formalize ASM through robust legal frameworks and licensing incentives. Also, miners should be equipped with modern tools and training to enhance safety and reduce ecological damage, while strengthening oversight to curb revenue losses. Finally, by attracting foreign investment, Nigeria can transform ASM into a pillar of sustainable development, balancing prosperity with preservation.

References

• https://dataphyte.com/latest-reports/extractive/solid-minerals-artisanal-small-scale-miners-hit-1273-in-2020/#:~:text=Artisanal%20and%20small%2Dscale%20mining%20(ASM)%20is%20mining%20done,areas%20where%20they%20are%20clustered.

• https://www.undp.org/nigeria/blog/beaming-light-hidden-sector-artisanal-and-small-scale-mining-asm-vital-sector-sustainable-development-nigeria

• Obaje, N. G. (2009). Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria. Springer.

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379006560_Opportunity_and_Side_Effects_of_Artisanal_and_Small-Scale_Mining_in_Nigeria

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283037877_Artisanal_and_small-scale_mining_in_Nigeria_Experiences_from_Niger_Nasarawa_and_Plateau_states