The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Plateau State after several villagers reportedly died from inhaling toxic gases while carrying out artisanal mining activities.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed that operations at Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited in Zuraq community, Wase Local Government Area, be halted pending investigation.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Alake expressed condolences to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, describing the victims as “innocent citizens trying to earn a living.” He also deployed a high-level investigative team led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Yusuf Yabo, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.
Preliminary findings indicate the site was an abandoned lead mining pit allegedly ceded to the host community. The area reportedly contains deposits capable of emitting sulphuric oxide gas. Unaware of the danger, villagers engaged in manual extraction and were exposed to the toxic emissions.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over abandoned mining pits and the risks associated with informal extraction across Nigeria, particularly in rural communities facing economic hardship.
The incident also highlights ongoing challenges in regulating artisanal mining and enforcing mine closure and environmental rehabilitation obligations. While the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has intensified efforts to formalise small-scale mining and strengthen oversight, the Plateau deaths underscore gaps in monitoring and compliance.
Officials say further details will be released as investigations progress.
