The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Plateau State after about 37 villagers reportedly died from inhaling toxic gases during artisanal mining activities.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who posted on X on Wednesday, an additional 25 people were hospitalised after exposure to suspected carbon monoxide at the mining site in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area. The victims, mostly young men aged between 20 and 35, were carrying out routine underground mining operations when they inhaled toxic gases believed to have accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels.
In response, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed the suspension of all activities at Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited. The licence, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China, is located between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
Alake expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives during a condolence visit to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, describing the victims as “innocent citizens trying to earn a living.” He urged the governor to convey his solidarity to the affected community.
“The minister sympathised with the governor over the loss of innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living and urged him to convey his deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Wase over the irreparable loss,” a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, read.
A high-level investigative team led by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Yusuf Yabo, has been dispatched to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and recommend sanctions. The team includes experts in mining, environmental compliance, and artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives.
Preliminary findings suggest that the company had ceded an abandoned lead mining pit to the host community following local agitation for economic opportunities. Unaware of the site’s hazardous nature, villagers engaged in manual extraction and inhaled poisonous emissions, resulting in the fatal incident.
The tragedy underscores the dangers of abandoned mining pits in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where economic hardship drives residents into informal mining without safety awareness. Experts have long warned that such sites can expose communities to toxic gases, heavy metals, and contaminated water.
Nigeria’s mining industry has recently received renewed government focus, with efforts to formalise artisanal mining, enforce environmental compliance, and attract foreign investment. However, this incident highlights persistent gaps in monitoring host communities and enforcing mine closure and rehabilitation obligations.
Minister Alake has repeatedly cautioned that illegal mining and unsafe practices threaten lives and undermine Nigeria’s goal of building a globally competitive mining sector. The Plateau tragedy may accelerate reforms on abandoned mine management, community engagement, and environmental remediation.
Officials said the Federal Government would provide further updates as investigations progress.
