The Global Race for Critical Minerals, and Nigeria’s Criminalization of Artisanal Miners

In Nigeria, the brutal deaths of thirty-seven men in state custody after being arrested for suspected illegal mining have sparked mourning and outrage. The government has taken some action, such as suspending senior officials and setting up an independent inquiry, but critics argue that a legal and regulatory framework recognizing and formalizing artisanal mining could have prevented these avoidable tragedies.

The thirty-seven young men met their demise due to poor treatment in state custody, with survivors alleging that NSCDC personnel sprayed something into the cell and kept the doors locked, ignoring their desperate cries for help.

The question arises: is criminalizing artisanal mining a solution to illegal mineral extraction, or a policy that deepens poverty, insecurity, and state violence while leaving powerful actors in the mining value chain untouched? Artisanal mining is a labor-intensive process that provides livelihoods for many, particularly in economically marginalized communities. However, weak rural livelihoods, limited agricultural returns, and demand for minerals such as gold, tin, and columbite make mining a last resort for many people.

The Minna deaths highlight the need for a policy shift away from raid-and-detention enforcement, focusing instead on providing licenses to the "big men" who dominate the mining industry. The government must balance the need to regulate illegal and unsafe mining with the duty to care for its citizens. The tragic incident in Minna serves as a reminder that the government's response to illegal mining must be proactive, rather than reactive, to prevent further avoidable deaths and protect the dignity and rights of artisanal miners.