Chinese secretly mining titanium ore intercepted in Akwa Ibom

• Akwa Ibom government shuts down Ruitai Mining Company for lack of operational license
• Uno Etim Eno, commissioner for environment and mineral resources, announces shutdown in Uyo
• Company unable to provide required authorization documents for mining activities in Ibeno
• Operations halted after interception; company instructed to provide necessary documents
  

  ---

The Ruitai Mining Company, a Chinese mining firm, has been shut down by the Akwa Ibom government due to its failure to present an operational license. Uno Etim Eno, the commissioner for environment and mineral resources, made this announcement to reporters in Uyo.

Eno explained that the company, which had been secretly mining titanium ore in Ibeno, was unable to provide the necessary authorization documents for its mining activities.

The company’s operations were halted after it was intercepted, and it was instructed to furnish the required documents. Furthermore, during an inspection, it was revealed that the firm lacked both a mining license and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report detailing the effects of its operations on the local community.

“The joint ministerial inspection team included the permanent secretary, Mrs Iquo Abia, on arrival at Ibeno community, were conducted round the mining site by the chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa. The team discovered black clay-like minerals contained in sacks of 50kg, which was identified by the miners as titanium ore,” said the commissioner.

Mr Eno added, “On critical examination of the site amidst tight security, the managing director and director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were not available at the site. The available staff members could not provide any information or documents.”

Mr Uno said that the ministry of environment discovered that the company was an exploration company while the board of directors are all Chinese nationals not eligible to acquire the small-scale mining licence as claimed.

“Ruitai mining company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimising its operation is completed with the state government,” said Mr Eno.