The Pak Global Pakistan:
Tragedy struck in central Nigeria’s Plateau State on Wednesday morning when at least 37 miners lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a dormant lead mining site in the Kampani community, Wase area. The deadly incident also left 25 others hospitalized, according to reports from Reuters citing police and security sources.
The Plateau State government confirmed the site as a former lead mine where toxic gases had accumulated, leading to the fatal poisoning. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further access as investigations begin. Officials warned many others remain at risk and are being treated at nearby hospitals.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, explained that local villagers, unaware of the dangers, had entered the abandoned mine tunnel to extract minerals and were exposed to the lethal fumes. Illegal mining is a widespread and ongoing issue in Nigeria, often conducted without government oversight or proper safety measures.
In response to the accident, the Nigerian federal government has ordered an immediate halt to all mining activities near the site to allow a thorough investigation. Plateau State, historically known as a mining hub with its capital Jos famously called Tin City, has seen a decline in mining activity in recent years but continues to face safety challenges.
This tragic incident adds to a troubling pattern of mining disasters across Nigeria and the wider African continent. Similar accidents have claimed lives before, such as the death of 18 miners last year in Zamfara State following a mine collapse during heavy rains. More broadly, mining operations in Africa—both legal and illegal—continue to face serious risks, as exemplified by the recent Rubaya coltan mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that killed around 200 people.
The urgent need for stricter regulations and safety protocols remains critical to prevent further loss of life in the pursuit of valuable mineral resources.