Mine collapses in Niger State
The federal government of Nigeria has confirmed the tragic death of three miners in Niger state due to a mine collapse, marking the second such incident in June.
This recent collapse occurred in Bazakwoi, a village in the Adunu community, Paikoro Local Government Area, where local miners were reportedly engaged in illegal gold mining activities. Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, conveyed the news though a statement which highlighted that the collapse occurred in an area under Exploration Licence 43113, which had been granted to JURASSIC MINES Limited. Notably, an exploration license allows for site assessment for potential mineral exploration but does not permit actual mining operations.
The minister detailed the ministry’s swift response upon receiving news of the collapse at 4:45 pm on Thursday. Officials arrived at the site confirming the deaths of three individuals who were subsequently buried. At the time of the officials’ visit, mining activities had ceased, and only onlookers were present. The site coordinates were recorded, and the officials returned to Minna by 8:30 pm. The owners of the company, contacted by phone, professed ignorance about the incident and were summoned to the state capital’s office.
Safety concerns
This collapse follows another incident earlier in June in the same Niger state, which resulted in one death and approximately 30 individuals being trapped due to heavy rains that destabilized the soil around an underground gold mine.
These recurrent mine collapses raise significant concerns about mine safety and worker welfare. In response to the earlier incident, Minister Alake proposed mandatory life insurance for miners to ensure their safety and provide benefits in the event of such disasters.
The solid mineral sector in Nigeria is still developing and lacks a formal structure. Despite this, the mining and quarrying sector contributed approximately 86% to the overall GDP in the first quarter of 2024, a notable increase from previous quarters.
