By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
A yet-to-be-ascertained number of people are feared to have lost their lives following a tragic explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Preliminary investigations indicate that about 33 persons were inside a mining tunnel at the time of the blast, which reportedly engulfed a site operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited.
The full casualty figure has yet to be confirmed.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt Hon Joyce Ramnap, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to journalists in Jos on Wednesday.
She described the development as “unfortunate” and said many lives were feared lost, while several others who sustained injuries were receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Plateau State, we extend heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. We share in your grief at this painful moment,” she said.
Ramnap added that the state government was working closely with security agencies, emergency responders and health authorities to bring the situation under control.
Efforts, she noted, were ongoing to secure the site, provide medical assistance to the injured and prevent further loss of life.
She appealed to residents of Kampani Zurak and neighbouring communities to remain calm and law-abiding, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension or panic.
The commissioner also called on relevant federal and state agencies responsible for mining regulation, safety enforcement and disaster response to urgently conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and ensure strict enforcement of safety standards to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has directed the immediate and total shutdown of all mining activities in the affected area pending further investigations.
According to the state government, a high-powered team of experts from the Federal Ministry of Environment is expected to arrive in Wase from Abuja to assess the situation.
In a related development, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, ordered the closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area, following reports that villagers allegedly died while mining in pits containing hazardous gaseous emissions.
Alake also sent a condolence message to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, expressing sympathy over the loss of lives.
He urged the governor to convey his solidarity to the people of Wase, describing the deaths as an irreparable loss.
The minister has dispatched a team of officials and investigators led by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Yusuf Yabo, to probe both the immediate and remote causes of the incident and recommend sanctions where necessary.
The team includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal co-operatives.
A statement from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development indicated that preliminary reports suggested the company had ceded the pit where the explosion occurred to members of the community for mining, reportedly following agitations for empowerment, but without necessary safety measures in place.
It was further gathered that the site was an abandoned lead mining location, with stored minerals prone to the emission of sulphuric oxide.
Unaware of the toxic nature of the gases, villagers were said to have engaged in extraction activities while inhaling the emissions.
Both federal and state authorities have pledged to leave no stone unturned in addressing the tragedy, as investigations continue into the exact cause of the explosion and the number of casualties.
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