The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has directed the immediate sealing of a mining site in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the death of 37 miners.
The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
According to the statement, the closure is part of urgent measures aimed at investigating the incident and preventing further loss of life.
Survivors and community sources said no fewer than 37 miners died in the early hours of Wednesday.
More than 25 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Wase town for treatment.
A miner in the community, Safiyanu Haruna said the incident occurred shortly after dawn when the miners returned to the site after observing their morning prayers.
According to him, the victims suddenly succumbed to carbon monoxide gas believed to have accumulated in the tunnel.
“They were all alive around 5:30a.m. when they left for prayers. It was when they returned to the site that the gas trapped them”
He added that there was no immediate rescue because those scheduled to arrive at the site in the morning had not yet come.
Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Dele Alake, ordered the closure of the areas covered by Mining License 11810, which is operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The ministry is expected to work with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and enforce compliance with with mining regulations.
The development underscores renewed concerns over safety standards and regulatory enforcement in Nigeria’s mining sector.
-9News Nigeria.
