The Cross River State Government has ordered all individuals and companies engaged in mining and quarrying activities across the state to undergo a mandatory profiling exercise or risk the immediate shutdown of their operations.
The directive, issued in line with Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, is aimed at enforcing responsible mining practices, protecting host communities, and ensuring the state receives due surface rent revenues from mineral extraction activities.
Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 issued by the State Governor Prince Bassey Otu, “was enacted to protect mining host communities from insecurity and exploitation, promote responsible and environmentally conscious mining practices, and ensure that the State rightfully derives surface rent revenues for the sustainable development of affected communities.”
In a statement on Monday, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, Linus Obogo, said the government was worried by the persistent disregard for the executive order by some operators in the mining sector.
According to him, official records show that several individuals and companies have continued mining activities in violation of the order, undermining the state’s regulatory framework and exposing host communities to exploitation and environmental risks.
Obogo noted that the non-compliance has been evident in the execution of questionable Community Development Agreements with host communities, as well as mining arrangements that fail to align with the state’s development priorities.
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of operators conducting mining activities without verifiable documentation, a situation he said weakens regulatory oversight and accountability.
To address the situation, the state government has directed all mining and quarrying operators within Cross River to report for immediate profiling at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, located within the Water Board premises on Marian Road, Calabar.
Operators are expected to appear with valid identification, certificates of incorporation and other corporate documents for companies, mining licences and statutory approvals, letters of consent, and duly executed Community Development Agreements with host communities.
The statement noted that the profiling exercise will commence on March 16 and end on April 16, 2026.
Obogo warned that any individual or entity found engaging in mining or quarrying activities in the state after the deadline without completing the required profiling would have their operations shut down and face sanctions in line with the law.
He also urged leaders of host communities to ensure strict compliance within their jurisdictions, warning that any community authority that knowingly allows unprofiled miners to operate would be considered complicit in breaching the executive order.
The government advised all concerned operators to comply promptly with the directive to avoid sanctions.
