The Senate has asked the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to conduct a comprehensive audit of all licensed miners and their areas of operation across the country to strengthen monitoring and regulation of mining activities.

The upper chamber also asked the Federal Government to establish a statutory mining workers’ compensation scheme, funded through mandatory contributions from licensed mining operators.

The proposed scheme is expected to provide compensation for occupational injuries, permanent disabilities, occupational diseases and deaths arising from mining operations.

The resolutions followed concerns over the growing incidence of mining accidents, including mine collapses and landslides, which have claimed lives and left many miners with permanent injuries without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.

In his lead debate, Senator Isah Jibrin said that victims of mining accidents, particularly families of deceased miners and those who suffer life-changing disabilities, are often left without any form of social protection despite the significant economic benefits generated from the country’s mineral resources.

The Senate warned that the continued occurrence of mine collapses, unsafe mining practices and unstable geological conditions, particularly in the Ankpa Coal Block, could result in recurring fatalities, environmental degradation and the destruction of valuable mining assets if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

To address the situation, the Senate called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to develop a compulsory occupational accident insurance scheme covering all categories of miners, including artisanal and small-scale miners operating under recognised mining cooperatives and community mining arrangements.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to establish a mine rehabilitation and victims support fund to provide emergency medical treatment, rehabilitation services, compensation for injured miners, educational support for children of deceased miners and livelihood assistance for affected families.

They mandated its Committees on Solid Minerals Development; Environment; Labour, Employment and Productivity; and Health to jointly engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies to ensure implementation of the resolutions and report back to the Senate within six weeks. (Channels TV)