FG shuts mining site in Plateau after toxic gas kills 37
The Federal Government has ordered the closure of a mining site in Wase Local Government of Plateau State, after 37 villagers died from toxic gases while mining in a pit containing gaseous emissions.
Reports say that 25 other persons have been hospitalised due to exposure to suspected carbon monoxide at the mining site. The victims were said to have inhaled toxic gases in the course of a routine underground mining operation at the site, under the Mining Licence 11810.
The Nigerian Ministry of Solid Minerals Development disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the licence for the said site was under the operation of Solid Unit Nigeria Limited.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake sympathized with the government and people of Plateau State over the loss of innocent lives, in a condolence call to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
In a statement signed by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, a team of officials and investigators led by the Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo, has been dispatched by the Ministry to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident.
The statement read in part: “The team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance, and artisanal cooperatives. The minister is coordinating the team and the support services to ensure effective management of the situation.
“The actions were taken as preliminary reports indicated that the company ceded the pit where the incident took place to the community to mine following agitations by villagers for empowerment.”
The statement added that the area was an abandoned lead site which 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.
The development has sparked several concerns over unsafe mining practices and regulation in the area. Speaking on the situation, the Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo stated:
“It happened at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government. We got information that the miners dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 of them instantly.”
While unsure of the number of survivors, he revealed that the youths were allegedly mining zinc on behalf of a Chinese-owned mining firm.
