The Federal Government’s Safer Mining Project, aimed at enlightening artisanal and small scale miners on health, safety and environmental issues associated with hazardous mining, berthed in gold mining fields around Ilesha, Osun State recently, leading to the training and equipping of hundreds of artisanal and small scale miners in the area, reports.
The Safer Mining Project, which was spear- headed by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, commenced in Osun State last week with a sensitization and advocacy movement reaching out to communities such as Owu Epe, Ibodi, Igun, Igbadae, Ijana Wasere, Iyemogun, Epe Akire, in Ilesa area of the state, where remarkable gold mining activities are taking place.
Government believes it is imperative that all stakeholders within the gold mining value chain are made aware of the health implications and importance of keeping a clean and safe environment for the benefit of the artisanal and small scale miners and most importantly, the host community. For the purpose of gathering first-hand information from the community, the Ministry organised several town hall meetings which were attended by traditional rulers and chiefs, management/team of small scale artisanal miners association, women and adolescent groups, students, health workers as well as officials of the local mining inspectorate office.
The town hall meetings gave deeper insights into the activities of local miners as well as co-existential issues associated with gold mining in Ilesa and its environs. Participants at the town hall meetings were also given health talks on safer mining practices including; wearing protective gear, importance of registering with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and most importantly, the role of the Ministry in ensuring the environment is safe and free of environmental hazards.Read more.
