MINERALS: Taraba Moves to Reform Gold Mining Sector as Kefas Backs Training for Artisanal Miners.

By Jako,October 17,2025.

A two-day capacity-building workshop for Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASM) has commenced in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, marking another major step in the state government’s drive to sanitize and modernize the mining industry.

The workshop, organized by Gold for Growth in collaboration with the Taraba State Bureau for Solid Minerals, seeks to train participants on modern mining techniques, safety measures, and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and reduce environmental risks.

Declaring the event open, Governor Agbu Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting responsible mining and protecting local communities from the negative impacts of illegal mining activities.

Represented by the member representing Mbamnga Constituency, Hon. Abel Peter Diah, the governor noted that the creation of the Bureau for Solid Minerals was part of the government’s strategic framework to regulate, monitor, and harness the state’s mineral resources for sustainable development.

He recalled that his administration had issued Executive Order 001, which placed a temporary embargo on illegal mining operations, describing it as a deliberate step to address insecurity and ensure compliance with global mining standards.

> “This initiative aligns perfectly with our Moving Forward mantra, which prioritizes sustainable resource management, job creation, and economic diversification,” Kefas said.

In her remarks, Dr. Ria Camille Joanna Hinds, Head Strategist for International Relations and Global Partnerships at Green Mining Italia, hailed the 2025 Gold for Growth programme as a transformative intervention designed to formalize and professionalize artisanal mining in Taraba State.

According to her, the initiative aims to empower local miners with modern skills, environmental consciousness, and adherence to global best practices, enabling them to participate more effectively in the formal economy.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Solid Minerals, David Matsai, emphasized that the workshop would help miners abandon unsafe and outdated methods, ensuring both environmental safety and improved productivity.

The event attracted artisans, mining cooperatives, industry experts, and government representatives from across the state, all united by a shared commitment to building a sustainable, transparent, and inclusive mining sector in Taraba State.

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