The Nasarawa State Government has banned children under the age of 18 from working at or visiting mining sites across all 13 local government areas.
Environment Commissioner Margaret Elayo announced the decision in Lafia, citing safety concerns following the recent deaths of illegal miners in neighboring Niger State.
She warned that using children as laborers, errand runners, or food vendors on these sites puts their health at risk and deprives them of an education.
To enforce the ban, the state has set up a special monitoring team to inspect mining sites and arrest illegal operators.
Elayo made it clear that any mining company, operator, or parent caught violating the order will face prosecution under child rights laws.
The government is also partnering with traditional leaders, security agencies, and federal authorities to organize legal miners into regulated cooperatives.