In a statement released by the ministry's Head of Press & Public Relations on Friday, Dr. Oladele Alake, conveyed this warning during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigeria-China Chamber of Mines, led by its National President, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala at the ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

Dr. Alake said, "The government will take decisive action against these unscrupulous foreign operators who are financing banditry to facilitate illegal mining. I want to use this platform to appeal to you to convey this message to those sponsors, urging them to cease their activities or face the full force of the law."

Furthermore, Alake disclosed that the ministry is fully committed to establishing a multi-agency task force tasked with eradicating illegal mining activities and those who collaborate with them.

He reiterated the government's stance, giving illegal miners a 30-day grace period to formalize their operations and comply with regulations if they wish to continue their trade. Alake explained that this approach aims to "organize and structure Small-Scale Artisanal Miners for optimal contribution to the Federal Government."