Tag: Wase Local Government

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FG seals Plateau mine after gas leak kills 37

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Plateau State after about 37 villagers reportedly died from inhaling toxic gases during artisanal mining activities.

PUNCH Metro gathered from a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X on Wednesday that 25 other persons were hospitalised after exposure to suspected carbon monoxide at the mining site in Zurak, located in Wase Local Government Area.

According to the report, the victims—mostly young men aged between 20 and 35—were carrying out routine underground mining operations when they inhaled toxic gases believed to have accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels.

Following the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed that all activities within Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, be suspended after the tragedy in the Zurak community of Wase LGA.

The licence, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China, lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.

The minister gave the directives in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Segun Tomori, in Abuja.

Tomori said the minister was on a condolence call to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, where he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and described the victims as “innocent citizens trying to earn a living.”

Alake urged the governor to convey his solidarity to the affected community.

“The minister sympathised with the governor over the loss of the innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living and urged him to convey his deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Wase over the irreparable loss,” the statement read.

The minister has also dispatched a high-level investigative team led by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Yusuf Yabo, to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.

The team, according to the statement, includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives.

“The minister has dispatched a team of officials and investigators to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions,” the statement noted.

“The team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives. The minister is coordinating the team and support services to ensure effective management of the situation.”

Officials said the Federal Government would make further disclosures as investigations progress. (Punch)

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33 feared dead in Plateau mine explosion

An explosion has reportedly killed 33 persons at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Joyce Ramnap, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos, the state capital.

The commissioner, who commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones, said the injured were currently receiving treatment at hospitals.

“The Plateau Government received with deep shock and profound sadness reports of a tragic explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, reportedly owned by Solid Unit Nig. Ltd.

“Preliminary information has it that 33 persons were said to have been inside the mining tunnel at the time of the explosion.

“Others who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.

“Government is deeply concerned about the development and is working closely with relevant security agencies, emergency responders and health authorities to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” she said.

The commissioner, however, called on residents of the community to remain calm and law-abiding.

Earlier this month, in another local government, the Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Samuel Amalau, ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities—both legal and illegal—across the council.

The measures followed a series of deadly assaults on local miners, which reportedly led to the killing of youths by gunmen suspected to be militias.

On January 22, PUNCH Online reported that gunmen attacked a mining site in the Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area, killing seven people.

Similarly, on December 17, PUNCH reported a tragic incident in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where 12 people were killed at night by suspected militia members. The incident reportedly occurred at a mining site in the Ratoso Fan community of the council area. (Punch)