Nigeria’s Federal Government has opened a full-scale investigation into the deadly mining incident in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 37 miners were confirmed dead and 25 others hospitalised.
The tragedy, which struck in the early hours of Wednesday, is suspected to have been caused by carbon monoxide and sulphite gas emissions, though officials say laboratory confirmation is still pending.
Federal Delegation Storms Site
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, represented by Permanent Secretary Faruk Yahaya Yabo, led a high-level federal delegation to the site on Thursday.
The team included directors from Mines Compliance, Inspectorate, Environmental Compliance and Special Duties, alongside officials of the Plateau State Government.
Describing the scale of loss as devastating, the minister conveyed condolences to grieving families.
“It is highly tragic for a community like this to lose more than 30 able-bodied persons. We are here on a fact-finding mission,” he said.
Preliminary reports suggest the presence of toxic gases at the mining site, although authorities insist a comprehensive investigation will determine the exact cause.
Licence Holder Under Scrutiny, Illegal Mining Suspected
Officials expressed concern over the absence of technical representatives from the licensed mining company, stressing that licence holders are legally responsible for safety oversight.
Early security briefings, according to the minister, pointed to possible violations of safety regulations and the presence of illegal mining activities in the area.
The Assistant Commandant of Corps and National Commander of Mining Marshals under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Attah John Onoja, said the tragedy reinforces federal efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.
He pledged that findings from the investigation would be strictly enforced and called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to guarantee safer mining operations nationwide.
Plateau Govt Seeks Stronger Enforcement of Mining Act
Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter Gwom, noted that mining falls under the exclusive legislative list but urged stricter implementation of the Mining Act 2007.
Gwom said the state government has begun organising miners into cooperatives, offering training, safety gear and micro-loans to reduce fatalities.
“We have too many widows and fatherless children due to unsafe mining practices. This must stop,” he said.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, delivered condolences on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, reiterating the administration’s stance against illegal mining and its commitment to regulatory compliance.
Community Laments Humanitarian Toll
Executive Chairman of Wase LGA, Hamis Anani, praised the swift response from both federal and state authorities.
Receiving the delegation, traditional ruler Aliyu Adamu Idris thanked the government for the visit but highlighted the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the community, with many families left without breadwinners.
He appealed for urgent government intervention, including improved road infrastructure to enhance access, security and safer mining practices.
As investigations continue, attention is now focused on accountability, enforcement of mining safety regulations and preventing further loss of life in Nigeria’s mineral-rich regions.
