Amba and Agaza communities of Kokona local government area of Nasarawa state have denied that they had any knowledge of any mining consent given to Timadex Geomin Consult Limited for mining activities in the area.
The overseer of Agwada Development Area, Adamu Agye, alongside traditional and communities leaders of the area, made the denial in a press conference titled, “Re- Indigenous Miners Cry Foul in Nasarawa, Accuse Government of interference” in Garaku, Kokona LGA.
He said Amba and Agaza had given consent to Black Stones New Energy Limited and Black Gem New Energy Limited to carry out mining activities in the area.
He said, “For the purpose of history and clarity and to keep the record straight, the minerals in question (Lithium) was discovered in Kware (Amba) and Agaza (Igwo} communities respectively of Kokona local government area.
“While it is not in doubt that the two communities involve, i e Amba and Agaza have given consent to Black Stones New Energy limited and Black Gem New Energy Limited to carry out mining activities on our land.
“This was done after careful assessments of these companies who were proven to have knowledge and capacity to establish both production and processing factories in the two communities.
“We view the action of the governor of Nasarawa state to ensure well-coordinated and productive mining activities devoid of insecurity and threat to lives of the people of our communities as good intention.
“It is on this note that upon the discovery of the presence of some Illegal miners that we quickly solicited for the intervention of the state government and the governor obliged by providing security to prevent and safeguard the influx of illegal miners/the mining site.
“We, therefore, want to draw the attention of Timadex Geomin Consult that the communities – Amba and Agwada – are fully behind the Chinese companies (Black Stones New Energy limited and Black Gem New Energy Limited).”
