Report states that the Akwa Ibom government has closed down a Chinese mining firm, Ruitai Mining Company, for failing to produce an operation license.

Speaking to the press in Uyo, the commissioner for environment, Uno Etim Eno said the firm failed to provide authorization documents for titanium ore mining in Ibeno.

According to him, the Chinese company had been secretly mining titanium ore in the area before they were stopped.

In his address, Eno noted that during the inspection, the commission discovered that the Chinese firm could not produce a mining license and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to show impact of its operations on the host community.

It was also discovered that the company was an exploration company while the board of directors are all Chinese nationals not eligible to acquire the small-scale mining licence as claimed.

The commissioner said;

“The joint ministerial inspection team included the permanent secretary, Mrs Iquo Abia, on arrival at Ibeno community, were conducted round the mining site by the chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa. The team discovered black clay-like minerals contained in sacks of 50kg, which was identified by the miners as titanium ore.”

Adding that, “On critical examination of the site amidst tight security, the managing director and director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were not available at the site. The available staff members could not provide any information or documents.”

“Ruitai mining company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimising its operation is completed with the state government,” as quoted by gazettengr.com.