Evaluation of Regulatory Frameworks Governing Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Nigeria: A Comparative State Analysis

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Nigeria operates within a fragmented regulatory framework that divides responsibility between federal and state governments, creating governance gaps that enable environmental harm and resource theft. This study evaluates the regulatory frameworks governing ASM in four states representing different geopolitical zones: Zamfara (North West), Plateau (North Central), Enugu (South East), and Delta (South South). A comparative regulatory analysis was conducted, examining statutory provisions, licensing regimes, royalty collection mechanisms, environmental compliance requirements, and enforcement records at each state. Key informant interviews were conducted with 22 officials from federal and state regulatory bodies. Findings reveal that the Plateau State model, which incorporates an artisanal miner registration system and cooperative licensing structure, achieves the highest rates of legal compliance and royalty collection among the four cases. Zamfara's ASM governance is the most deficient, characterised by near-total informality and the absence of functional enforcement. The study identifies the mismatch between national ASM regulations designed for formalisation and the practical realities of subsistence mining communities as a root cause of governance failure. Recommendations include a tiered ASM regulatory framework, differentiated by community size and mining scale, and a dedicated ASM development unit within the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Keywords: artisanal mining, regulatory framework, Nigeria, small-scale mining, comparative analysis.