Plateau State’s push to expand its mining industry is facing a major challenge as insecurity continues to raise concerns about the safety of mining operations, workers and potential investors.
The state is rich in mineral resources, including tin, columbite, zinc and gemstones, and the government has been seeking to attract more investment into the sector. However, repeated attacks around mining communities are creating additional risks for companies looking to operate in the state.
Mining sites in areas including Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Wase, Bokkos and Mangu have been affected by violence, with attacks disrupting both mining and other economic activities.
The growing insecurity has also raised concerns about who controls mineral-rich areas, particularly where residents have been displaced from communities and abandoned mining locations have become vulnerable to informal and illegal activities.
Security concerns threaten mining opportunities
Plateau’s mineral wealth has long attracted artisanal miners, traders and investors. But insecurity is making it more difficult for legitimate operators to work safely and consistently.
Recent attacks on mining locations have resulted in deaths and forced some miners to abandon productive sites. In January 2026, seven miners were reportedly killed at a mining site in Kuru, Jos South, while five miners were killed in an attack at Gero in June. Another attack at Nyango in July left three miners dead and two others injured.
The security situation has become an additional concern for investors who require stable operating environments before committing capital to long-term mining projects.
Illegal mining adds to the challenge
Beyond armed attacks, illegal and informal mining remains a major issue across parts of Plateau.
Many miners operate without adequate safety equipment or formal regulatory oversight. Some work deep underground in poorly ventilated pits, exposing themselves to serious health and safety risks.
In February, 37 miners reportedly died after being exposed to toxic gas at a mining site in Wase Local Government Area. Following the incident, the Federal Government ordered the closure of the affected mining areas and directed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Another incident in August saw seven people killed after an abandoned tin mine pit collapsed in Kassa, Barkin Ladi. The Federal Government subsequently urged artisanal miners to obtain the necessary permits and operate through formal structures.
Government wants mining to support economic growth
Despite the security concerns, Plateau State continues to promote mining as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has highlighted mining alongside agriculture, tourism, livestock and health tourism as sectors capable of attracting fresh investment and creating employment.
The governor has also used investor-focused events to showcase Plateau’s mineral potential and encourage private-sector participation in developing the state’s resources.
For the government, the objective is to move the sector beyond largely informal extraction and create a more structured mining industry that can generate revenue, employment and wider economic activity.
Regulation and security remain key
For Plateau to fully benefit from its mineral resources, stronger regulation and security will be essential.
The state government has already taken steps aimed at improving oversight of mining activities. It has also introduced restrictions on night mining following security concerns around mining locations. Under the directive, mining activities are expected to end by 5 p.m., allowing security agencies to monitor operations more effectively.
The Federal Government has similarly continued to push for greater formalisation of artisanal mining while encouraging investors to develop abandoned mining sites through properly licensed operations.
Investment potential remains
Plateau’s mineral deposits continue to present opportunities for investors, but the success of the state’s mining ambitions will depend on whether the authorities can create a safer and more predictable environment for legitimate operators.
Improved security, stronger enforcement against illegal mining, better protection for mining communities and investment in infrastructure could help reduce some of the risks facing the sector.
For now, Plateau’s mineral wealth remains significant, but turning that potential into sustainable investment will require the security challenges around mining communities to be addressed alongside efforts to expand the industry.
