Enugu Govt says illegal coal mining curbed, over 40 sites shut

By Dennis Agbo

The Enugu State Government says it has curtailed illegal coal mining activities across the state, announcing that more than 40 unauthorized mining sites have been shut down since the administration of Peter Mbah assumed office.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mining, Engr. Samuel Okoro, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Enugu.

According to Okoro, the government has taken steps to regulate mining activities in the state, including restructuring the system for sand excavation and other mining operations into a centralized payroll and monitoring framework.

He explained that recent geological studies indicate that the state’s coal deposits may be larger than earlier estimates of about 300 million tonnes, noting that the findings could support the government’s plan to generate about 1,000 megawatts of electricity from coal as part of efforts to address energy supply challenges.

Okoro said the state has carried out extensive geological exploration, including geospatial mapping and geochemical investigations, to determine the quantity and quality of mineral resources across different parts of the state.

He added that the initiative aligns with Governor Mbah’s policy of revitalizing dormant economic assets and unlocking the state’s mineral potential.

“Exploration is the first phase of mining activity. We conducted mapping, geospatial and geochemical studies to understand the mineral resources available across the state,” Okoro said.

He further noted that the government inherited more than 100 mineral titles, with only a small percentage actively developed. According to him, the state has engaged with relevant authorities to address cases where licences were not being utilized for productive mining activities.

Okoro expressed optimism that with ongoing reforms and exploration efforts, the solid minerals sector would increasingly contribute to the economic development of the state.

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