The Kano State Government has warned mining companies operating in the state against abandoning mining sites without proper reclamation, saying it will enforce compliance with environmental regulations.

The warning was issued to firms engaged in mining and quarrying activities across the state, with the government emphasising that operators must restore land disturbed by mining to a safe and usable condition before vacating sites.

Officials said the government would not tolerate a situation where companies extract minerals and leave behind degraded land, pits and environmental hazards that endanger host communities. Firms found to have abandoned sites without reclamation will face sanctions, including the revocation of operational licences and possible prosecution under state environmental laws.

The government urged mining operators to incorporate reclamation plans into their project designs and to engage with host communities and regulators throughout the life of their operations.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over the environmental impact of mining activities in parts of northern Nigeria, where abandoned pits and degraded land have been linked to safety risks, water pollution and loss of agricultural livelihoods.