The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, yesterday ordered the closure of a mining site in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the death of villagers at the location.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the minister announced the shutdown of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan-China. The action followed reports that villagers allegedly died while mining in a pit said to contain hazardous gaseous emissions.
Alake gave the directive during a condolence visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, expressing sympathy over what he described as the tragic loss of innocent citizens trying to earn a living. He urged the governor to convey his solidarity to the people of Wase.
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The minister has also deployed a team of officials and investigators, led by Permanent Secretary Engr. Yusuf Yabo, to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions. The team includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives.
Preliminary findings indicated that the company had reportedly ceded the abandoned lead mining pit to members of the host community following agitation for economic empowerment. The site was said to contain stored mineral materials capable of emitting sulphur dioxide.
Unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions, the villagers allegedly engaged in extraction activities and inhaled the gaseous substance.
Mining Licence 11810 is located between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
Alake assured that further details would be made public as investigations progress.
