The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has announced its intent to revoke the land titles of owners whose licensed areas are being exploited by illegal miners. This decision comes in response to a recent mine collapse in Niger State that claimed three lives.
This tragic incident occurred on Thursday at around 10 am, just two weeks after another collapse in Shiroro, Niger State, which trapped over 50 miners.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, it was revealed that preliminary investigations indicated the collapse occurred within the Exploration Licence 43113 area of Jurassic Mines Limited in Adunu Village, Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State.
Tragedy Strikes Niger State: Three Lives Lost in Illegal Mining Site Collapse.
“Owners of licensed land units being mined illegally will lose their titles,” Alake stated. He clarified that an exploration license allows the holder to assess the site’s suitability for mineral exploration but does not authorize mining activities.
Detailing the Ministry’s response, Alake said they received reports of the accident around 4:45 pm on Thursday, noting that the tunnel collapse resulted in three fatalities. It was confirmed that the miners were operating illegally.
The Ministry swiftly deployed its officers, who arrived at the site by 6:15 pm. They found that work had ceased, and the deceased miners had already been buried. The site was documented, and officials returned to Minna by 8:30 pm. When contacted, the owners of Jurassic Mines Limited claimed ignorance of the illegal activities, leading to their summons to the state capital.
The Minister pledged to keep the public informed as more details emerge.
Earlier reports highlighted that nearly two weeks after the Shiroro mine collapse, which trapped over 50 miners, rescue efforts were still ongoing with limited assistance from international rescue organizations. The latest collapse at Bazakwoi, Adunu Community, in Paikoro Local Government Area, occurred at an illegal gold mining site, resulting in three deaths and one injury.
