From Francis Nansak, Lafia
Investigation on a new gold mine site located at Uke of Karshi Development Area in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State has proved that gold particles in large quantity and of high grades are being excavated by artisan miners from other states of the north including foreigners from some francophone countries.
The AUTHORITY finding reveals that since December last year, the miners took advantage of the gold deposits in the area, which are in large quantity, to acquire over ten hectares of land purposely for the exploration of the precious mineral deposit.
A source who disclosed the activities of the miners told our correspondent that since the commencement of business on the gold field in a village called Roguwa in Uke, there has been ceaseless influx of these miners into the area, making a handsome amount of money in billions.
The source further alleged that due to what was discovered on the land which is pure gold, it has resulted to envy and sometime fighting amongst the miners as about six persons were reportedly said to have been killed while dragging over ownership of the site.
He said ” I wonder if this people are doing these business legitimately and with the permit of the state or federal government, what i could only say is that from time to time the authorities of the Karshi development area do go there for collection of revenue and i learnt the Sarkin Karshi is aware of their presence and the kind of business that is ongoing in the area,” he pointed out.
Mr Yusuf Agwai spoke on the new found mines deposit confirming that what is found is a high quality gold that is comparable to that of south Africa but expressed regretted that the interest of government on solid minerals is not encouraging as the artisan miners are the ones that is visible without the legitimate permit or a support to them from the government.
He added that solid minerals deposited in the communities of Nasarawa are capable of funding the country’s budgets if properly harness.
“As i speak to you, i am just from Roguwa where i met with the village head and i want to tell you that i discovered that even the man’s house is built on a vain of huge mineral deposit.
“I took some sample for laboratory test, even my own house in Keffi, i found out there are deposits around it. Let me open up to you that in every local government of Nasarawa State God has deposited these natural resources for us in large quantity but the attention of the government towards investing in this direction is very poor,” he said.
However, one Umaru Adamu who said he is the chairman of artisan miners from Kebbi State also confirmed that what brought about their presence in Uke was based on information regarding the gold which was discovered in the area.
According to him, since they started excavation, what they have found out is that the gold deposit of the area is of international standard as there are those of 12 to 22 karate gold, and that they are laden in huge quantity.
On whether they have contacted the state government, he said since they came in they have been relating with the Sarkin Uke, who is a recognized ruler appointed by the government, they believe that the state government was also aware of their presence.
He however expelled the report on the number of people claimed to have been killed on the mining site, saying he was only able to send away a group of youth who have had issues with each other in far away at their village in the north but felt since they are away from home, the site could be an avenue for them to wrestle out the difference that existed.
“So in all honesty, i am not aware of such happening as the one that would have been a fight on the site is the one i explained to you that i intervened and the boys have since been sent away from here,” he said.
The AUTHORITY reports that so far, there are over one thousand machines installed which are used for separations and another five hundred, for crushing while those that apply chemicals on the already crushed stones who are foreigners, are seen on site.
Reports also had it that apart from the miners, trucks are seen lifting the sand like items through and from as a load of the product as charged by a driver goes for Thirteen Thousand Naira while he pays Three Thousand as Revenue on each trip. For those with the crushing machine, the authority charges Seven Thousand Naira to have them crush the stones.
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