Government of Akwa Ibom shuts down illicit mining firm

Ruitai Mining Company, a Chinese mining company, has been shut down by the government of Akwa Ibom for failing to present an operation licence.

This was said by Chief Uno Etim Eno, the state’s commissioner for environmental and mineral resources, to journalists in Uyo.

He said that the company was unable to deliver the necessary authorization papers for the state’s Ibeno village to mine titanium ore.

He said that the company had been covertly extracting titanium ore in the region when it was stopped and told to present pertinent paperwork.

In addition, it was found during an inspection that the company was unable to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and a mining licence, which would have demonstrated the effects of its operations on the host community.

“The Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa, led the joint ministerial inspection team around the mining site after they arrived in the Ibeno community. The team also included the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iquo Abia.

The 50kg bags of black clay-like materials that the team found were later recognised as titanium ore by the miners.

Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, the company’s managing director and director, were not present at the site, according to a critical inspection conducted under strict security. The staff members that were on hand were unable to provide any information or documentation, Uno claimed.

He said that the Ministry of the Environment found that the company was only an exploration company and that its board of directors, which was made up entirely of Chinese citizens, was not qualified to obtain the small-scale mining permit as promised.

“Ruitai mining company should cease its mining operations immediately,” he stated. “This must happen until proper clearance authorising its operation is finished with the state government.”