Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has met with stakeholders in the mining sector during one of his schedules in Brazil to facilitate and encourage partnerships that will improve the mining sector in the state.
The Governor stated that his administration intends to organise the miners into cooperatives, highlighting that responsible mining entails ethical practices, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and a balance in productivity with a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Governor Bago reiterated that the initiative and other strategies evolved were designed not only to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners but also to promote the collective marketing of their products, emphasising that the establishment of cooperatives will create room for the government to create a structured framework for mining that enables artisanal miners to sell their products more efficiently and sustainably, while simultaneously mitigating the risks associated with their work.
He added that the project is equally anticipated to uplift the livelihoods of the miners and promote safer mining practices throughout Niger State as they will also be provided with standardized equipment that adheres to safety and operational guidelines, thereby promoting economic growth while also prioritising environmental protection.
According to the Governor, all these efforts were parts of the ongoing efforts to transit artisanal miners in Niger State and safeguard them from the risks of mine collapse and exposure to hazardous substances like lead poisoning.
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