Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has confirmed the death of 13 persons in a mining pit on Sunday in Zamfara state in northern Nigeria and assured that federal mines officers had been deployed to coordinate ongoing rescue operations.
There were reports that 13 persons died while two others remain missing, following the collapse of a mining pit in Kadauri village, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, stated that efforts are underway to retrieve the two miners still buried beneath the rubble.
“The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall and aggravated by the unlawful activities of illegal miners, trapped at least 15 itinerant mine workers. Thirteen of them have been recovered, tragically with no survivors,” the statement said.
Reacting to the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, described the accident as both unfortunate and avoidable.
He said that the ministry had mobilised its departments to support rescue efforts and to unearth the circumstances that led to the collapse.
“I received with deep shock the report of the unfortunate incident in Zamfara, which has resulted in casualties. Our first responders have been mobilised to the site and are working with state government officials on rescue operations, after which the site will be sealed off,” Alake said.
While investigations into the Kadauri mining pit collapse continue, the minister reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining.
“We will not relent until we rid this country of the nefarious activities of illegal miners. With satellite surveillance and other enforcement measures underway, we aim to drastically reduce mine collapses and tighten the noose around the sponsors of illegal mining,” he said.
The ministry also disclosed that it has commenced the installation of satellite surveillance systems to monitor mining sites nationwide in real time. The technology, according to the government, will allow faster response to incidents and deter illegal operators.
GIK/APA