The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has ordered the immediate sealing of a mining site in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following a deadly incident that claimed dozens of lives.
The directive, contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, came after reports that at least 37 miners died while 25 others were hospitalised after exposure to gaseous emissions at an underground mining location in Zurak.
Confirming the tragedy, the Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Hamisu Anani, said the victims were exposed to toxic fumes during mining operations in the early hours of Tuesday.
Alake explained that the closure affects areas covered by Mining Licence 11810 operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China, adding that the move was necessary to contain the situation and enable a thorough investigation.
The minister disclosed that a team of officials and investigators, led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo, has been deployed to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions.
The team includes experts in mining, environmental compliance, and artisanal cooperatives.
According to preliminary findings, the company allegedly ceded the pit where the incident occurred to members of the host community following demands for economic empowerment.
The site was said to be an abandoned lead deposit with minerals capable of emitting sulphuric oxide gas. Unaware of the danger, villagers reportedly carried out extraction activities while inhaling the poisonous substance.
Alake assured that he is personally coordinating response efforts to ensure effective management of the situation and promised that further updates would be provided as investigations continue.
The minister also commiserated with Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, describing the tragedy as an unfortunate loss of innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living.
