Solid minerals ministry: 13, not 100, died in Zamfara mine collapse

The federal ministry of solid minerals development has downplayed the reports of a high death toll from the Zamfara gold mine pit collapse.

The pit collapsed on Friday in Jabaka village, Maru LGA.

After the incident, local and international reports quoted residents saying as many as 100 had died.

However, in a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, said at least 13 miners were retrieved from the collapsed pit dead.

“The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall and aggravated by the unlawful activities of illegal miners, trapped at least fifteen (15) itinerant mine workers. Thirteen (13) of them have been recovered, tragically with no survivors,” the statement reads.

“Efforts are on course to recover the remaining two, still trapped in the rubble.”

Tomori said the minister described the incident as both avoidable and unfortunate.

“I received with deep shock the report of the unfortunate incident in Zamfara, which has unfortunately resulted in some casualties. Our first responders have been mobilized to the site and are working with officials of the state government on rescue operations, after which the site will be sealed off,” the statement quoted the minister to have said.

According to Alake, illegal miners mobilised itinerant workers to the site after discovering traces of gold.

He said the workers “rushed to the site with rudimentary tools, disregarding the environmental and safety risks inherent to the terrain”, which was characterised by loose sand.

“We will not relent until we rid this country of the nefarious activities of illegal miners,” Alake said.

“Despite our vast landmass, we remain undaunted. With satellite surveillance and other enforcement measures underway, we aim to drastically reduce mine collapses across the country and tighten the noose around sponsors of illegal mining.”

The minister said his ministry has commenced the process of installing satellite surveillance systems to enable real-time monitoring and proactive responses to similar incidents.

He added that the ministry is awaiting a comprehensive report of ongoing investigations into the Maru mine pit collapse and reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining.