The Akwa Ibom State Government said it has shut down Ruitai Mining Company, a Chinese mining company operating in Esuk Ikim Akeme community, Ibeno Local Government Area of the state over illegal mining of Titanium Ore.
The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Uno Etim Uno, disclosed this on Tuesday while playing host to members of the correspondents chapel in his office in Uyo.
He explained that he, alongside the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security, Brig. Gen. Koko Essien (rtd), went on inspection of Ruitai Mining facility and discovered that it was involved in illegal mining.
He explained that the product, black clay-like mineral was discovered in sack bags of 50kg, however, the Managing Director and Director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were absent at the site, while the available staff members could not provide any information or documents on their right to operate in the area
He explained that upon the discovery, the government invited the police and army to take over the site pending when the company was cleared to operate, adding that Ruitai was given until Friday this week to present documents qualifying them to mine the mineral.
