The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the death of 37 miners.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced the directive in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Chairman of Wase LGA, Hamisu Anani, confirmed that at least 37 miners died while 25 others were hospitalised after being exposed to toxic gaseous emissions at an underground mining site in Zurak.
Alake stated that the affected location falls under Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan-China. He said the sealing of the site was necessary to contain the situation and allow for a full-scale investigation.
The minister disclosed that a team led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo, has been dispatched to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy and recommend appropriate sanctions. The team includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives.
According to Alake, preliminary findings indicate that the company had ceded the mining pit to the local community following agitations for economic empowerment.
“It was gathered that the area was an abandoned lead site with stored minerals prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide. Unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance,” he said.
Alake assured that further updates would be provided as investigations continue.
He also condoled with Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, describing the tragedy as an unfortunate loss of innocent citizens trying to earn a living.
