Chinese illegal miners face deportation in Nigeria, to lose ₦134 million

Chinese illegal miners Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong have been ordered to be deported by the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, following their conviction for unlawfully mining solid minerals in the region.

The convicted Chinese nationals were arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for engaging in unlawful mining activities.

According to the EFCC statement, the defendants were arrested on March 9, 2025 at JLM Mining company site following credible intelligence on activities of some Chinese suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities in Jos, Plateau State.

Justice Agishi found them guilty of the illegal purchase and possession of mineral resources.

Each was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million. In addition, they were deported and permanently banned from re-entering Nigeria.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of all proceeds from the illegal activity to the federal government, including ₦134.87 million recovered from Liang Quin Yong.

Justice Agishi also ordered the forfeiture of all mineral resources recovered during the investigation, along with an administrative fine of ₦16.3 million.

The fine was imposed for the defendants’ failure to report a financial transaction within seven days, as required under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to the EFCC’s Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML).

Plateau State is endowed with a rich variety of mineral resources that contribute significantly to Nigeria’s mining sector.

The most historically significant of these is tin, alongside columbite, an ore of niobium, has also been a major mineral extracted from the region, with the state hosting the world’s largest known deposits.

Smaller but economically important quantities of other minerals such as tantalite, wolfram (tungsten), kaolin, zircon, and uranium are also found across Plateau.

In the eastern and central parts of the state, lead and iron ore have been identified, while coking coal deposits are located in the Lafia area.

Additionally, gold and silver deposits have been discovered near the town of Shendam, further underscoring the state’s vast mineral potential.

Over the years, Plateau State’s rich mineral resources have been exploited by illegal miners, many of whom operate without licenses, disregarding laws, local communities, and the environment.

Illegal mining has become a pressing concern, not only damaging the environment but also fueling insecurity and tensions in local communities. It has also attracted foreign actors, some of whom have been implicated in illicit operations.

In response to the growing threat posed by these activities, Governor Caleb Mutfwang signed Executive Order 001, which prohibits all mining activities across the state.

These developments highlight the broader risks associated with illegal mining in Plateau State and the government’s intensified efforts to restore control over its mineral wealth.