FG Orders Immediate Closure of Plateau Mining Site After 37 Miners Die
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the deaths of 37 miners.
The directive was confirmed in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Wase LGA Chairman Hamisu Anani reported that 37 miners died while 25 others were hospitalized in the early hours of Tuesday. The victims were exposed to toxic gases while working in an underground section of the Zurak site.
Alake identified the area as part of Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan-China. He said the closure was necessary to contain the situation and allow a full investigation.
A team of officials, led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo, has been deployed to investigate the causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions. The team includes experts in mining operations, environmental compliance, and artisanal mining cooperatives. The minister is personally coordinating efforts to manage the situation.
“The actions were taken as preliminary reports indicated that the company ceded the pit where the incident occurred to the community following villagers’ demands for empowerment,” Alake said.
He explained that the site was an abandoned lead mine with minerals prone to emitting sulphuric oxide. Unaware of the dangers, villagers reportedly extracted the minerals while inhaling the poisonous gas.
Alake provided the coordinates of the affected area, noting it lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
He assured that updates would be shared as the investigation continues and extended his condolences to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, calling the tragedy “an unfortunate incident of death of innocent citizens trying to earn a living.”
