Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says the establishment of an Army battalion in Zurak, Plateau and stronger enforcement against illegal mining can prevent mining-related tragedies.
Alake said strengthening agencies such as the Mining Marshals and establishing a military presence in the area would help secure mining sites, deter illegal operators and prevent a recurrence of incidents such as the February gas poisoning.
Receiving report of the High-Level Investigation Committee on the Zurak mining gas poisoning incident in Wase Local Government of Plateau on Friday in Abuja, Alake described enforcement as the most effective approach to tackling illegal mining, stressing that relevant agencies required greater operational capacity.
Alake said that the Mining Marshals had recovered over 100 mining sites from illegal operators and apprehended scores of illegal operators, some of whom had been prosecuted or were undergoing prosecution.
The minister said that strengthening the agency with more personnel, equipment, armaments and modern technology would improve its nationwide operations.
“With minimal inputs and requirements, the mining marshals have been able to achieve so much in so short a time,
“Imagine if we were enabled to strengthen its capacity, have presence in almost every local government of the country,” he said.
Alake said the proposed Army battalion would complement the Mining Marshals, particularly because Zurak was remote and difficult to access.
He explained that the difficult terrain made it challenging for security operatives, ministry officials and inspectors to move in and out of the area to carry out their duties.
He added that while the Mining Marshals could clear illegal mining sites, they could not remain there permanently to prevent unauthorised operators from returning.
Alake also called for stronger regulatory frameworks and enforcement of preventive policies to minimise the impact of mining accidents.
The minister said that the Zurak incident was the first reported case of poisonous gas inhalation in Nigeria’s mining sector, noting that the victims were illegal operators.
He said the incident highlighted the dangers associated with illegal mining, particularly in remote locations where government officials faced difficulties monitoring operations and enforcing regulations.
He explained that illegal mining had previously been carried out with impunity because there was no clear pathway for addressing the problem and enforcing existing regulations.
The minister also stressed the need for making contingency arrangements to reduce casualties whenever accidents occurred.
Alake commended the committee for doing a thorough job and promised that the ministry would take the recommendations to higher authorities for consideration and implementation.
The report was submitted to the minister by the Co- Chairman, Mr Faruk Yabo.
Local media reports recalled that about 37 people died and 25 others were hospitalized, following the exposure to toxic gases at an underground mining site in Kampani Zurak on Feb. 18 this year.
The reports added that the Federal Government of Nigeria ordered the closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Ltd and constituted a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy.
GIK/APA