The federal government has given a 30-day grace to illegal miners in the country days grace to join a miners' co-operative or find another vocation.
They have been asked to join a miners’ cooperative within the period or look for another vocation.
Alake said the ministry will soon introduce a security tax force and mines police that will help the country combat illegal mining and smuggling.The minister said after the expiration of the 30-day grace, there will be a clampdown by security agencies. “On the expiration of the period, the full weight of the law will fall on anyone seen on a mining site without a determinable status.“This message will be interpreted into Nigerian languages and broadcast on the radio to ensure no one is ignorant of this directive.