Taraba agog as Uranium mining set to commence

As the mining of uranium is due to commence in the Mika area in Kwaji Chiefdom in Yorro LGA of Taraba State, experts say the state and federal government will earn foreign exchange (forex) from the mineral, which exploration is the first in the history of Nigeria.

The experts disclosed this at a gathering on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Nuclear Regulation Authority (NNRA) and other agencies in Jalingo.

The meeting was at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Environment as part of requirements for the licence for the exploration and mining of the uranium.

A retired director of pollution and health from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Kasimu Bayero, who told Daily Trust on Sunday that Taraba and the federal government would earn forex from the exploration, said uranium was a very special mineral which was used in generating electricity and for other purposes globally, but cautioned that it needed to be handled under strict regulations and guidelines from regulatory bodies such as NNRA because it was a very special mineral.

Bayero, an indigene of Taraba and chairman of the EIA, noted that the proposed uranium mining project in Taraba had economic advantage to the state and the country.

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Our correspondent reports that records have shown that a survey was carried by a company named Clarisver Solutions Limited in Mika and that it secured approval and exploration licence: EC32436, in 2019 for uranium mining.

Mr Leonard Kemalolam, an environmental consultant to the company, said, Clarisver Solutions has secured  a licence from the Federal Ministry of Environment to undertake uranium exploitation and mining within the leased area covering 26 square kilometres.

Mr Kemalolam, while addressing the experts and members of the host community where the uranium deposit is located, said the project had economic advantage to the host community, state and federal government.

He explained that, “EIA is required by the Federal Ministry of Environment for non- radiological aspect of the project.”

Kemalolam informed the meeting which was attended by officials the Taraba State Ministry of Environment, NNRA, the host community, among others, that it was in compliance with relevant rules and guidelines that the meeting was held.

He said, “The licence for the Mika uranium mining is subject to regulation by NNRA under the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protect Act, No 9 of 1995.”

He noted that the objective of the EIA was to identify and evaluate the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the project and recommend measures to mitigate, manage and control them.

While noting that the project would create jobs, he said, “60 per cent of the personnel would come from the host community and region where the project is sited.”

He further stated that uranium accounted for an estimated 12 per cent of the electricity generated from nuclear reactors globally, noting that it was cheaper, environmentally friendly and a more efficient source of electricity.

He said countries like Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Japan, South Korea and Hungary sourced at least 30 per cent of their electricity requirements from nuclear reactors, while France got 75 per cent of its electricity from uranium.

He further said, “Export of uranium for which there is a ready market will boost Nigeria’s forex and the country’s foreign reserves, as well as payments of duties, royalties and levies.”

Findings revealed that Nigeria’s uranium development programme began in 1976, but by 1989 the programme suffered a setback until when former President Olusegun Obasanjo made an attempt to revive it.

Now that the uranium potential is to be exploited in Taraba, many view it as a welcome development, but caution that care must be taken to ensure all required safety measures and mandatory rules and guidelines are met before the start of operations.

A representative of the Chief of Kwaji, Alhaji Gabdo, said that before the company started its operations it must guarantee the security of the entire community, as well as fully pay compensation to land owners.

He further said the company must also fulfill the promise it made, which include employment of 60 per cent of its workers, from the community, and also provide social amenities like water, roads, schools and health facilities.

Daily Trust Saturday further reports that that Mika is located along the Jalingo-Zing road and the inhabitants who are mainly farmers cultivate mostly yam, cassava and millet.

The source of water in the area is a stream which has been contaminated by the deposits of uranium resulting in the death of animals and birds that drink from it.

A resident, Musa, told our reporter that the stream was sealed off and that both humans and animals were not allowed to drink from it.

Musa, however, said, “Mining activities nowadays attract bandits and criminal elements as the cases in Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna. Therefore, we demand the company and the government to put good security measures to protect us against the activities of bandits and other criminals.

He further said, “The issue of compensation for our land acquired for the mining must be addressed, because that was not mentioned in the promises made so far by the company.”