The Senate has passed for second reading a bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) to combat illegal and artisanal mining in the country. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mohammed Onawo (SDP-Nasarawa), outlined the NMRS’s role in safeguarding mining operations, enforcing environmental and safety regulations, and promoting sustainable mining practices.
The proposed NMRS would serve as a specialized security outfit to curb illegal mining, rescue trapped miners, provide emergency care, investigate accidents, and enforce compliance with regulations.
Senators supporting the bill highlighted its potential to protect mining sites and curb the annual $18.9 billion lost to illegal mining. Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, who presided, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further review, with a report due in two weeks.
