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The Nigerian government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Plateau State following the reported deaths of no fewer than 38 villagers who allegedly inhaled toxic gases while engaging in artisanal mining.
The fatalities occurred at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of the state, where a gas explosion was said to have rocked the area between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
In response to the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed that all operations within Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, be halted with immediate effect.
The directive was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
According to the statement, Alake expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives during a condolence call to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
The minister described the victims as “innocent citizens trying to earn a living.”
“The minister sympathised with the governor over the loss of the innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living and urged him to convey his deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Wase over the irreparable loss,” the statement read.
The licence, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China, lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
Alake also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
According to the statement, a high-level investigative team led by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Yusuf Yabo, has been dispatched to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
“The minister has dispatched a team of officials and investigators to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions.
“The team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives. The minister is coordinating the team and support services to ensure effective management of the situation,” the statement added.
Preliminary findings indicated that the abandoned pit had allegedly been ceded to members of the host community following agitation by villagers seeking economic opportunities.
The area was described as an abandoned lead mining site with mineral deposits that are prone to sulphur oxide emissions.
Unaware of the potential danger, villagers reportedly engaged in manual extraction before the explosion.
Officials said further details would be made public as investigations progress.
