The Cross River State Government has observed with deep concern the persistent disregard by certain individuals, companies, and entities engaged in mining and quarrying activities for the provisions of Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 issued by His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State.
The Order was enacted to protect mining host communities from insecurity and exploitation, promote responsible and environmentally conscious mining practices, and ensure that the State rightfully derives surface rent revenues for the sustainable development of affected communities.
Unfortunately, available records indicate that several operators have continued to conduct mining activities in violation of these clear directives.
This pattern of non-compliance has manifested in the execution of questionable and manifestly inadequate Community Development Agreements with host communities, mining arrangements that undermine the States development framework, and flagrant disregard for extant federal mining laws and regulatory provisions.
More troubling is the growing prevalence of mining operations carried out by entities operating with little or no identifiable documentation, thereby frustrating regulatory oversight, weakening accountability, and exposing host communities to grave risks.
Consequently, His Excellency has directed that all individuals, companies, and entities engaged in mining or quarrying operations anywhere within Cross River State must, without exception, present themselves for immediate profiling at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, located within the Water Board Premises, Marian Road, Calabar. Operators are required to appear with valid means of identification; certificates of incorporation and relevant corporate documentation (for companies); letters of consent, mining licences and other statutory approvals; duly executed Community Development Agreements with host communities; as well as any additional documentation that may assist the Ministry in determining the legitimacy and compliance status of their operations.
The profiling exercise shall commence on 16th March 2026 and conclude on 16th April 2026. Any individual or entity found engaging in mining or quarrying activities within Cross River State after the expiration of this deadline without completing the required profiling shall have its operations immediately shut down and will face the full sanctions prescribed by law. Leaders of host communities are strongly enjoined to ensure strict compliance within their jurisdictions, as any community authority that knowingly permits or facilitates the continued operation of unprofiled miners shall be deemed complicit in the breach of the Executive Order and held accountable accordingly. All concerned persons and entities are therefore advised to treat this Notice with the seriousness it demands and comply without delay.
