By Henry Umoru ABUJA — The Senate has urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to conduct an audit of licensed miners and their areas of operation across the country to strengthen monitoring and regulation of mining activities. The upper chamber also called for the establishment of a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme, to be funded through mandatory contributions by licensed mining operators, to provide compensation for occupational injuries, permanent disabilities, occupational diseases and deaths arising from mining activities. The resolutions were reached on Wednesday following the consideration of a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Address the Escalating Safety Risks, Environmental Hazards and Humanitarian Concerns Arising from Unsafe Coal Mining Activities in Ankpa and Other Coal-Bearing Communities in Kogi State.” The motion was sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) under matters of urgent national importance.
The Senate also urged the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to develop compulsory occupational accident insurance for all categories of miners, including artisanal and small-scale miners operating under recognised mining cooperatives or community mining arrangements. It further called for the establishment of a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund to provide emergency medical treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for injured miners, educational support for children of deceased miners, and livelihood assistance for affected families. The Senate mandated its Committees on Solid Minerals Development; Environment; Labour, Employment and Productivity; and Health to engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies on the implementation of the resolutions and report back within six weeks.
The chamber also observed a minute silence in honour of victims of the landslide that occurred at Alufele in Enjema District, within the Ankpa coal mining area of Kogi State, on July 14, 2026. Presenting the motion, Senator Jibrin said coal mining remained a major economic activity in Ankpa Local Government Area, particularly in coal-bearing communities such as Enjema, Okaba and Ikah, as well as parts of Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas within the Ankpa Coal Block of the Anambra Basin.
Summary from source