By Obiabin Onukwugha
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has ordered the closure of a mining site covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, after an explosion from a gas leak killed about 37 people and injured several others in Kampani Zurak, Wase local government area of Plateau State.
The Minister ordered the closure of the site when he paid a condolence visit to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang in Jos the state capital,
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, revealed that the minister said he has 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 team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives. The minister is co-ordinating the team and the support services to ensure effective management of the situation.
The actions, according to the statement, 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. Unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance.
The minister said the closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810 operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China in Zuraq, was necessary to contain the situation and conduct investigations.
He assured that he was coordinating the team and the support services to ensure effective management of the situation.
“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.
“Unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance. ML 11810 lies between longitudes 10.34.45, and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45, 9.14.40,” Alake stated.
He added that more updates would be provided as the investigations progress and condoled with Governor Caleb Mutfwang, over the loss, describing it “as an unfortunate incident of innocent citizens who died trying to earn a living.”
Meanwhile, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap in a statement on Wednesday, commiserated with the families of the victims. She said that the injured were currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“The Plateau Government received with deep shock and profound sadness reports of a tragic explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, reportedly owned by Solid Unit Nig. Ltd.
“Preliminary information has it that 33 persons were said to have been inside the mining tunnel at the time of the explosion.
“Others who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
“Government is deeply concerned about the development and is working closely with relevant security agencies, emergency responders and health authorities to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” she said
The commissioner, however, called on the community’s residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
