A devastating mining site collapse in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State has claimed the lives of at least 13 people.
Dr. Joshua Riti, Chairman of the LGA, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos on Monday, expressing deep sadness over the loss of life.
The collapse occurred last Saat a mining site located at the boundaries between Bassa, Jos South, and Jos North LGAs. Seven of the deceased hailed from Bassa LGA, with most of the victims being youths between 18 and 30 years old.
Dr. Riti described the incident as “unfortunate,” stating that the young people were seeking a means of livelihood amidst economic hardship in the country.
He said, “They went out to put their energies to good use to sustain and meet up with the current economic hardship in the country but met their untimely death.”
The Plateau State government has not released an official statement on the incident, but Dr. Riti extended his condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy.
This incident highlights the risks faced by artisanal miners in Nigeria, where illegal mining activities are prevalent. This poses a serious challenge to the Nigerian mining sector as 80% of the mining workforce in the Northwest area is either illegal or artisanal.
In 2019, a similar incident occurred in Jos South Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. Another mining incident happened in Ibadan, Oyo State in January 2024 where 77 were injured and 2 lost their lives.
The Nigerian government has initiated efforts to regulate the mining sector and prevent such incidents.
To address these challenges, the Nigerian government has established initiatives such as the National Geodata Center, Mineral Clinics, and the Nigerian Mining Sovereign Wealth Fund. The activation of a mining police force to curb illegal mining is also underway.
These efforts aim to strengthen the mining sector and enhance its contribution to the economy and human development. However, despite all of these initiatives, the challenge of illegal mining remains a significant concern in the country.
