House Moves To Investigate Illegal Gold Mining In Osun

The House of Representatives has mandated its committee on Solid Minerals to investigate cases of illegal gold mining activities in Osun State.

Gatekeepers News reports that the House committee was mandated on Wednesday and told to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to determine holders of mining licences operating in the axis.

This resolution was adopted after a motion moved by Lawrence Ayeni (APC, Osun) was considered and adopted.

Ayeni, in his motion, said some individuals and organisations had embarked on illegal exploration of land, not just in Ilesha, but the “entire Ijesha land”.

He said the activities of illegal miners have caused untold hardship on the villagers who have been forcefully displaced and dispossessed of their lands.

In addition, he said the illegal mining is causing “environmental hazards/natural disaster such as landslides, earthquakes, erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals released during the mining processes.”

The motion was put to vote without debate as Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila described it as straight.