Ruitai Mining Company, a Chinese mining enterprise, has been shut down by the government of Akwa Ibom for not having an appropriate license to conduct business.
When briefing reporters in Uyo, the state’s commissioner for environment and minerals, Chief Uno Etim Eno, made the remarks.
According to him, the company lacked the paperwork necessary to legally mine titanium ore in the Ibeno neighborhood of the state.
He claimed the firm had been secretly mining titanium ore in the area for some time before being stopped and told to present proper paperwork.
He also said that the company failed to provide a mining license and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report demonstrating the effects of its operations on the local population during an inspection.
“On arriving in Ibeno community, the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa, showed the joint ministerial inspection team—which included the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iquo Abia—around the mining site.
Titanium ore was identified by the scientists as the black clay-like minerals they were found in.
“On critical scrutiny of the location amidst strong security, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, the Managing Director and Director of the company, respectively, were not there. Uno stated, “The available staff members were unable to provide any documentation or information.”
According to him, the company’s exploratory focus and the fact that its board of directors is entirely comprised of Chinese nationals meant that they were not eligible to get the small-scale mining license.
Until the necessary permission legitimising its operation with the state government is completed, he advised that the Ruitai mining business cease all mining operations immediately.
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