The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, deployed federal mines officers in the state to lead rescue operations following reports of a mine pit collapse in Kadauri Village, Maru, Zamfara State.
The ministry claimed that the collapse was brought on by heavy rain and the illegal mining activity was made worse by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori.
According to the report, the collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 15 itinerant mine workers, and 13 bodies have been found.
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The ministry stated that “the recovery efforts are on track to bring the other two, who are still encased in rubble,”.
Tragedy is “évitable.”
Dele Alake, the state’s minister of solid mineral development, bemoaned the tragedy, calling the loss of lives both preventable and unfortunate.
He claimed that the ministry’s relevant departments have been mobilized to assist with rescue operations and find the reasons for the incident.
“I was shocked to learn that there had been a tragic incident in Zamfara, which unfavorably left some people dead. The minister was quoted as saying that the first responders have mobilized to the site and are working with state government officials on rescue operations. Following that, the site will be closed off.
The ministry explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the area is suitable for alluvial mining because it has traces of gold and loose sand.
It noted that illegal miners mobilized itinerant workers who rushed to the site with rudimentary tools without consideration for the environmental and safety risks that were present when the site’s gold traces were discovered.
Mining Marshals
The ministry claimed that Alake set up the mining marshals more than a year ago, which resulted in the arrest of over 300 illegal miners in 10 states, the FCT, and the closure of 98 illegal mining sites.
“With more boots on the ground and logistics, efforts are being made to expand the scope of their operations across the nation and to increase their capacity.
Zamfara, however, presents a unique challenge because of its prior banditry to the current administration.
“The National Security Advisor (NSA) coordinates military clearance operations to address the problem decisively,” says the Tinubu administration. The Minister announced the end of Zamfara’s mining-related restrictions in December 2024 in response to improved security there.
Source: Channels TV
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