Seven miners have died after a mining pit collapsed in Kassa community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday while the miners were working at the site, according to a report by PUNCH newspaper on Thursday.
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A community member, Albert Danlami, told the newspaper that the miners were trapped underground after the earth suddenly caved in.
“The victims were trapped underground following the collapse, prompting residents and other miners to commence efforts to recover them,” Mr Danlami was quoted as saying.
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He said the incident caused panic in the community as residents rushed to the mining site to assist in the rescue effort.
“Some persons were injured following the collapse,” he added.
The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the deaths, saying seven miners were killed in the incident.
“Efforts were made to rescue the miners after the incident, but they were found dead,” Mr Tengwong said.
The incident has renewed concerns over safety conditions at mining sites across Plateau State, where informal and artisanal mining activities remain widespread.
Previous disaster
The latest deaths come less than six months after a major mining disaster in another part of Plateau State.
On 19 February, PREMIUM TIMES reported that an explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area, killed at least 33 people, according to the Plateau State Government.
The Wase Local Government chairman, Hamisu Anani, however, put the death toll at 37, while 25 people were reportedly hospitalised.
The victims were exposed to gaseous emissions while working at an underground mining site in Zurak.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, subsequently ordered the closure of the affected mining area covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited.
Mr Alake said preliminary findings indicated that the company had ceded the pit to members of the community for mining following demands by residents for economic empowerment.
He said the affected area was an abandoned lead mining site where stored minerals were prone to sulphuric oxide emissions. The villagers, according to the minister, were unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions when they entered the site.
The minister also directed officials from the ministry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the February disaster and recommend appropriate sanctions.
The incident highlighted the dangers associated with poorly regulated mining operations, particularly underground mining and activities carried out without adequate safety measures.
Safety concerns
Residents of Kassa said the latest collapse demonstrated the need for stronger government oversight of mining operations in Plateau.
A community member, Timothy Bako, said that the victims were young men working to support their families and alleged that the mining site lacked basic safety measures.
“We are heartbroken. These are young men who went to work to feed their families. The pit was too deep and there were no safety measures. Government must come and regulate these mining sites before more lives are lost,” Mr Bako said.
Another resident, who spoke anonymously, told the newspaper that miners in the area often worked without adequate equipment or technical support.
“People are digging with bare hands and no support. We need help from government and mining experts to prevent this from happening again,” the resident said.
READ ALSO: Explosion kills over 30 miners in Plateau, ministry orders mine shut
Community leaders have called on the Plateau State Government and relevant mining authorities to provide immediate support to the affected families and strengthen enforcement of safety regulations at mining sites.
The latest incident also raises questions about the implementation of safety measures following the February disaster, including the enforcement of mining regulations, inspection of active and abandoned pits, and the monitoring of artisanal mining activities.
With seven more deaths recorded at Kassa, the two incidents within six months have increased calls for stronger regulation of mining activities in Plateau State and greater protection for residents who depend on mining for their livelihoods.
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