The Federal Government has promised to prosecute the 17 Chinese illegal miners recently apprehended in Osun state, the two caught in Zamfara state and others apprehended for illegal mining to the full extent of the law.
The Government said although the Chinese are the most culpable illegal miners stealing the country’s gold, it is aware that other nationals like Senegalese, Burkinabes etc are also mining illegally and will be dealt with when caught.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite stated this in Abuja at a press briefing.
He said that the ongoing pandemic has caused the price of other industrial minerals to crash, save for gold which happens to be the safest currency in the world at the moment.
Adegbite said that an ounce of gold is presently being sold for about $1,768 in the International stock market, increasing the importance of gold and the mad rush of illegal mining activities.
The Minister stated he had met with the Chief Justice of the Federation on the matter who advised he works with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Attorney General to designate some particular courts for accelerated hearing..
He said, “In the last few days, social media has been flooded with apprehending of illegal miners, it was first in Zamfara state then more recently Osun, if you notice the two states are along the gold vein, we know for sure that in Osun state for example a foreign company is already working on the mine there and we have potentials in so many other areas in Osun and Zamfara for gold.