Thirteen miners have been confirmed dead and two others remain missing after a mining pit collapsed in Kadauri village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development confirmed the tragedy on Sunday, attributing it to heavy rainfall and illegal mining practices. Federal mines officers have been deployed to coordinate rescue efforts, with operations still ongoing to recover the missing victims.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described the incident as “unfortunate and avoidable,” stressing that the site would be sealed once rescue operations are concluded. He said preliminary findings show the area’s loose sandy soil and traces of gold had drawn illegal operators using crude methods that ignored safety standards.
The Federal Government vowed to intensify its crackdown on illegal mining, noting that its mining marshals have already arrested over 300 offenders and shut down 98 illegal sites across the country. Plans are also underway to expand satellite surveillance systems for real-time monitoring of mining activities.
Alake reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance, warning that sponsors of illegal mining would be decisively dealt with. “We will not relent until we rid this country of illegal mining and prevent further tragedies,” he said.
