AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING THE IMPACTS OF MINING OF MINERALS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA

📄 Project Abstract

Mining of solid minerals is one of the worlds important industries. Nigeria is blessed with about 44 solid minerals spread over the six geo-political zones of the country where mining activities occur. No matter the type of technology used, environmental degradation is a natural consequence of mining of solid minerals. While mining of solid minerals is important for economic growth and development it has deleterious consequences or impacts on the environment. The need to strike a balance between these issues is sacrosanct. Hence, laws, regulations and policies have been enacted or specified to ensure sustainable development of the sector. Also, government ministries, agencies and establishments have been set up and given powers, functions and responsibilities to implement relevant laws and regulations. In spite of measures put in place to ensure protection of the environment from the impacts of mining of solid minerals, poor enforcement and non-compliance with extant laws and regulatio...