Students from the Libata community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, beneficiaries of Three Crowns Mining Ltd’s scholarship scheme, have written to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, to call for the reopening of the company’s mining operations in the area.
Coming under Libata-Kwanga Three Crown Scholarship Beneficiaries, the students, in a letter signed by the executives of Libata Students Association (LISA) – Mohammaed Sleiman Libata (Chairman), Samaila Mohammed (Secretary-General), Salamatu Isyaka (Women Leader), Ibrahim Alhaji Yusuf (Speaker) and Fatima Mohammed (Assistant Leader) and dated August 17, 2025, they wrote to reaffirm their solidarity with Three Crown Mines Ltd in the ongoing ownership dispute that had led to the closure of its mining activities.
They wrote: “We, the undersigned beneficiaries of the Libata Kwanga Three Crown Scholarship beneficiaries, respectfully write to reaffirm our unwavering support for Three Crowns Mines Ltd.
“The company has, through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, sponsored 50 students across Libata and Kwanga Ward to pursue degree and diploma programmes in various universities and polytechnics in Nigeria.”
According to them, the company’s CSR interventions had opened doors of opportunity to young people who otherwise may never have accessed higher education, thereby transforming individual lives and advancing the socio-economic development of the Libata community.
“We wish to place on record that Three Crown Mines Ltd. are the lawful and recognised owner of the mining site located in Libata, having obtained the requisite approvals and operating in compliance with the extant laws and regulations governing mining in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Their presence in our community has been characterised by transparency, corporate accountability, and tangible contributions to development, especially in the areas of education and youth empowerment.”
LISA, however, described the other company, El-Tahdam Exploration Ltd, as not having a valid claim to the mining site in question.
“In contrast, the purported claims by El-Tahdam Exploration Ltd to ownership of the said site are mischievous, baseless, and lacking legal validity and moral justification.
“Such claims amount to an attempt to usurp the rights of a legitimate operator and, if entertained, would not only undermine peace and order but also jeopardise the hard-earned progress recorded in Libata/Kwanga Ward through the lawful operations of Three Crown Mines Ltd.”
The student body, therefore, urged the federal government, through the Ministry, to: Uphold the lawful rights of Three Crown Mines Limited as the rightful owners and operators of the Libata mining site; Ensure the immediate resumption of their operations in Libata without undue hindrance or obstruction and to reject frivolous claims and distractions by El Tahdam Exploration Limited and any other actors whose assertions lack legal or community legitimacy.
The scholarship beneficiaries also asked the federal government to provide a peaceful and enabling environment for Three Crown Mines to continue its lawful operations and invaluable corporate social responsibility programmes, such as sponsoring 50 students in Libata/Kwanga Ward.
“We, the beneficiaries, stand firmly with Three Crown Mines Ltd. and remain committed to supporting their continued contributions to education, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development Libata/Kwanga ward,” they concluded.
