ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF MINING REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR ARTISANAL AND SMALL SCALE MINING IN NIGERIA

This study is concerned with the impacts of Nigeria’s regulatory provisions like the Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 on regulation of artisanal and small scale mining in the country, with specific emphasis on North-central Nigeria. It was aimed at ascertaining whether the efforts of Nigeria’s the Mines Inspectorate Department led to adequate adherence to health and safety mining regulations amongst artisanal and small-scale miners in North-Central Nigeria. The study adopted the Critical Theory of Security and Rational Model of Policy Implementation. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized. Participant Observation, interviews and Documentary Methods of Data Collection were employed. Data was analyzed through the Qualitative Descriptive Method of analysis. Findings of the study revealed that adherence to health, safety laws amongst artisanal and small-scale miners is poor due to weak regulation of their activities. Sensitization of miners on global best practices in mining is limited. Amongst others, the study recommended that the Ministry of Mines and Steel should collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity in formulating standard occupational health and safety rules for artisanal and small-scale miners in Nigeria.