The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has ordered the closure of a mining site in Wase Local Government of Plateau State following the deaths of villagers allegedly mining in a pit containing gaseous emissions.
The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori said in a statement that Dr Alake sympathized with the Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, over the loss of innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living.
He also extended his condolences and solidarity to the people of Wase over the “irreparable loss”.
Dr Alake has immediately dispatched a team of officials and investigators led by Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.
The minister who is coordinating the team to ensure effective management of the situation explains that the team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives.
The actions were taken as preliminary reports indicated that the company ceded the pit where the incident took place to the community to mine following agitations by villagers for empowerment.
It was gathered that the area was an abandoned lead site with the stored mineral prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide. But unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance.
The minister promised to make further disclosures as investigations continue.
The affected area covered by Mining Licence 11810 is operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China in Zuraq, and lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
RN
